Image: Pekka Havukainen / Yle

The far-right street patrol group Soldiers of Odin has begun operations in Mikkeli, eastern Finland. "So far it's been small-scale, but we know that their activities may expand this spring," says Chief Inspector Petri Isokuortti of Mikkeli Police.

Isokuortti says he considers it regrettable that the self-styled 'civic protection' group has arrived in Mikkeli. He does not believe that street patrols make the city a safer place. The police chief stresses that maintaining order and safety are the responsibility of authorities.

"Racism should be rooted out"

"The police do not under any circumstances support such activities, especially with regard to this organisation. There are anti-foreigner [views] behind it. All kinds of racism and that kind of activity should be rooted out," Isokuortti tells Yle.

Isokuortti says that police throughout the country are well aware of the group members' backgrounds, and at least some have been involved "anti-foreigner activities".

"There's skinhead-type history involved," says Isokuortti.

Operations expanding abroad

He points out that there is nothing illegal about walking around city streets in a group in and of itself, but that the group's actions will still be monitored.

"We'll see how it gets underway and ensure that there are no over overreactions," Isokuortti adds.

The Soldiers of Odin were launched last year by a neo-Nazi who has been convicted of a racist assault in the northern city of Kemi. The group has been active in Joensuu, some 200 kilometres from Mikkeli, as well as other cities.

In recent weeks wire services have reported that local branches have begun operations in Estonia and Norway.