Sweden implements rubber projectiles for crowd control after Easter riots

Following the evaluation of the violent Easter riots in Sweden in 2022, police authorities identified the need for a new non-lethal crowd control method. They selected rubber projectiles as a safer alternative for law enforcement, which aims to minimize the risk of serious injuries during interventions. These rubber bullets will be utilized both in the national operational framework and in specialized police tactics.

Ulf Sand, a business developer for equipment at Sweden’s National Operational Department (Noa), stated that the riots clearly demonstrated the need for a less lethal option to service weapons that allows for engagement from a distance. The 40-millimeter rubber projectile that Swedish police will use is reported to perform safely over distances of 20-40 meters.

In France, where rubber projectiles have been in use since 2009, their deployment during the Yellow Vest protests sparked significant debate, as many demonstrators suffered injuries. It was decided that officers using these weapons must also be equipped with body cameras to prevent errors.

Amnesty International has reported that 83 people sustained severe injuries from police rubber projectiles during protests in 2018, with unofficial figures suggesting the number could be much higher. Anja Bienert, a senior program manager for police and human rights at Amnesty International, noted that while rubber bullets should not penetrate the skin at a safe distance, they can cause serious harm if fired too closely, particularly to thin or elderly individuals.

Vanessa Langard, who lost an eye due to a rubber bullet fired by French police during a protest in 2018, is now involved with an organization helping injury victims. She expressed her belief that the weapon is too dangerous for its intended situations.