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On December 31, police struggled to cope with rowdy crowds wreaking havoc across the Scandinavian nation as more than 50 incidents of people sending rockets at police, public transport and rescue services were reported in west Sweden alone. In one shocking clip from Malmo – Sweden's third largest city – the destructive youths can be seen revelling in the chaos as they launch fireworks into the crowd gathered outside to see in the new year. The rampage at Mollevang square was filmed by Jash Doweyko-Jurkowski, who described it as a battlefield. Speaking to thelocal.se, he said: “Where I stood in the square I’d estimate around 20-25 people were shooting rockets, but it’s important to point out I was mostly standing in one place. There were several other places in the square where it was happening.

JASH DOWEYKO-JURKOWSKI Malmo was described as a ‘battlefield’ on NYE as thugs sent fireworks into the crowd

“When I moved to Malmo I always heard that 'Mollevangen' is a bit like a battlefield on New Year’s Eve, that it’s standard there and more or less a tradition.” Police confirmed the area was taken over by thugs each year and no guarantees for safety could be given despite officers being present. Admitting it is not safe to enter the Malmo square on NYE, police spokesman Nils Norling said: “It’s known that you can’t guarantee your own safety if you’re there on New Year’s Eve. There’s a risk you could be hit with a rocket. “We had a number of police patrols in place there to make sure no one was injured and move anyone if necessary.

'Möllevången' is a bit like a battlefield on New Year’s Eve Jash Doweyko-Jurkowski

“It’s also the case that when police are there they can be a target for someone who wants to shoot a rocket at them, so it’s difficult for them to police. No arrests were made and no police reports filed however.” In the early hours of the morning, Malmo police were also forced to shoot a 28-year-old man in the leg twice after a short stand off. Officers were called out at around 5.30am after someone was “feeling ill”, however at the scene they found an axe and knife-wielding male. “When the patrol arrived they found the man intimidating, which led to one of the officers firing shots,” Fredrik Bratt, of the Malmo police, said.

JASH DOWEYKO-JURKOWSKI Police confirmed the area was taken over by thugs each year