GETTY Anders Danielsson has admitted that Sweden has never seen such migrant numbers

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Such has been the influx of refugees into the Scandinavian country that it has forced neighbouring Norway to temporarily re-introduce increased border controls. Ever since the Second World War, Sweden has prided itself on helping migrants who crossed its borders despite some moves to the political right in recent years. But increasing violence among the migrant population has led some to question its goodwill.

Sweden, with a population of 9.5million, annually received over 160,000 asylum applications and the country is expected to take as many as 190,000 refugees, or two per cent of the population, in 2016. At the end of last year, Anders Danielsson, the Director-General of the Migration Agency in Sweden admitted that the country had never seen such migrant numbers. He explained: “More people than ever are seeking asylum in Europe and in Sweden, and the situation at the moment is totally unprecedented.” In response to the crisis, which has led to increasing lawlessness and unrest, the Prime Minister of Norway Erna Solberg recently introduced an extension of the country’s border controls.

Such has been the influx of refugees into the Scandinavian country that it has forced neighbouring Norway to temporarily re-introduce increased border controls. Ever since the Second World War, Sweden has prided itself on helping migrants who crossed its borders despite some moves to the political right in recent years. But increasing violence among the migrant population has led some to question its goodwill.

Sweden, with a population of 9.5million, annually received over 160,000 asylum applications and the country is expected to take as many as 190,000 refugees, or two per cent of the population, in 2016. At the end of last year, Anders Danielsson, the Director-General of the Migration Agency in Sweden admitted that the country had never seen such migrant numbers. He explained: “More people than ever are seeking asylum in Europe and in Sweden, and the situation at the moment is totally unprecedented.” In response to the crisis, which has led to increasing lawlessness and unrest, the Prime Minister of Norway Erna Solberg recently introduced an extension of the country’s border controls.

GETTY Erna Solberg recently introduced an extension of Norway’s border control

She explained: “We are in a dramatic situation that nobody could imagine might happen, where the control at the boundaries is not working. “The situation is changing the rules, not the other way around.” Public disorder has also become an increasing worry in Sweden as a knock on effect of the sheer weight of numbers coming into the nation. In a secret report by Sweden’s National Criminal Investigation Service, migrant attacks on officers are detailed including police cars being stoned by masked groups.

She explained: “We are in a dramatic situation that nobody could imagine might happen, where the control at the boundaries is not working. “The situation is changing the rules, not the other way around.” Public disorder has also become an increasing worry in Sweden as a knock on effect of the sheer weight of numbers coming into the nation. In a secret report by Sweden’s National Criminal Investigation Service, migrant attacks on officers are detailed including police cars being stoned by masked groups.

GETTY Sweden is expected to take as many as 190,000 refugees this year

GETTY Sweden has long prided itself on helping migrants

Some 52 areas have been put on a “blacklist” with some areas deemed so lawless that two police cars are sent to every call out. While still part of the Schengen zone allowing free movement, the situation has also forced Sweden to re-implement an increase in border controls - though the situation is under constant review. But many fear that the explosion of mass migration in recent times will only see the situation further deteriorate. According to the UN High Commision for Refugees, one million people will make their way to Europe in 2016 and the Migration Agency has said “it is hardly possible to talk about a forecast any longer”.