Sweden sees increase in violent robberies

Over 400 store robberies were reported in Sweden in the first half of 2015, with 45 percent of them against grocery stores and many involving weapons.

The most common thefts are of meat, tobacco, cosmetics and lotteries, and while robberies against grocery stores have become more common, robberies of jewelers have gone down.

"We are seeing that robbers, who previously would take petty cash from grocery stores, are realizing that there is more value in products than in cash," Per Geijer, head of security at the Swedish Trade Federation, told Swedish Television.

Statistics from the Swedish Trade Federation also show that violent robberies are becoming more common in Sweden, with more robbers using arms.

Armed robberies have increased by 50 percent compared to last year, according to Krister Colde, a work environment ombudsman at the Union of Commercial Employees.

A total of 426 robberies was reported in Sweden in the first six months of 2105, an increase of 15 percent compared to the same period last year. Apart from firearms, robbers have also used axes, knives and injection needles. Endit