Sweden to abolish ID checks, but tighten border controls
Xinhua, May 2, 2017 Adjust font size:
The Swedish government will remove ID checks between Denmark and Sweden, but tighten border controls, Interior Minister Anders Ygeman and Minister for Housing and Infrastructure Anna Johansson announced Tuesday in a press conference.
ID checks were implemented in January shortly after the border controls were introduced to prevent anyone without valid identification from entering the country.
The decision was taken in response to the refugee crisis in the fall of 2015, in an effort to have more control of asylum seekers coming to Sweden. Now that there are fewer asylumseekers the ID checks are no longer needed, according to a statement released by the government.
Anders Ygeman said the Swedish police will tighter border controls and the government also plans to introduce automatic camera monitors and license plate scanners at the borders and to allow police and customs officials to x-ray vehicles.
ID checks were strongly criticised because they made it harder for people commuting to work between Denmark and Sweden. Endit