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Erik Åkerlund, who is chief in Botkyrka, southern Stockholm, criticised reports claims there are more than 50 lawless areas in the Scandinavian country as he claimed they should actually be seen as "go-go zones" for officials. Speaking to Radio Sweden, Mr Åkerlund expressed his astonishment at the decision to map out hard-hit areas in order to prioritise police recourses had been spun into something negative. Saying it was a mature way to handle the situation, he argued: “No I think that’s not a serious way to look at these areas. “I’ve been working in areas like this for my entire police life. To talk about 'no-go zones' in Sweden, for me it’s more like 'go-go'. It’s where we work.

RT • GETTY Erik Åkerlund insisted the hard-hit areas were ‘go-go zones’ where police should want to go

“I’m trying to help more police officers understand that this is where we need work. And this is where every police officer should like to work because we are needed.” In 2016 Sweden's National Criminal Investigation Service released a report where shocking attacks on officers, including police cars being stoned by masked groups, were detailed. As the nation struggles to crack down on violent thugs wreaking havoc, more than 50 areas were put on a "blacklist”, before being divided into three categories from "risk areas" to "seriously vulnerable". In addition to detailing brutal attacks on police, the report also revealed criminals were dealing drugs openly, intimidating officials, children were carrying weapons and locals were terrified of speaking to police in fear of retribution from the criminals.

To talk about 'no-go zones' in Sweden, for me it's more like 'go-go' Erik Åkerlund

Dismissing claims cities such as the capital Stockholm and Malmo, which is Sweden’s third-largest city, were turning into lawless hotspots, Mr Åkerlund insisted: “It’s not that these areas are lost in any way, it’s just that these 53 areas are vulnerable. “The answer to that report was ‘well if we have 53 areas we need to prioritise, let’s find out which areas we have to prioritise first’. It’s a mature thing to do.” Despite insisting these are areas police should want to work, the force is hard pressed to cope after three police officers were taken to hospital earlier this month after they were attacked by a mob while on routine patrol in the capital. Meanwhile, the situation has grown so serious in Malmo, the Sweden Democrats in January demanded soldiers should be sent to the city to halt the crime waves.

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Painting a troubling picture of the city, Magnus Olsson, a member of the Sweden Democrats, said Malmo has lost enough of its citizens to shootouts, grenade attacks and murders. He said: “There is a great lack of police officers in Sweden and Malmo. For this reason, it is perhaps time to let the military and police to stand together to reestablish order in the country. “We absolutely don’t believe the military should go in and to the police’s job. However in times of crisis the military can help keep law and order and assist the police with logistics services, materials, vehicles, and more.” One Swedish officer is facing a probe after he said migrants were to blame for most serious crimes.

GETTY Prime Minister Stefan Löfven has dismissed claims migrants are to blame for most serious crimes