ZitatA TOWN hit by a spate of sex attacks blamed on newly-arriving migrants has cancelled a festival that will take place under the cover of darkness over safety fears for women.
Girls as young as 10 have been victims of the attackers, who are still on the loose, and police are warning females not to go outside alone at night.
The 14 separate incidents have all been reported in the town of Ostersund, which has a population of 44,300.
While police have refused to release descriptions of the attackers, victims have described the men as of foreign origin.
The council, following discussions with police, have now said Earth Hour, a worldwide environmental event involving lights being turned off for 60 minutes, will be cancelled.
Social Democrat spokesman for the council, Ann-Sofie Andersson, said: “Earth Hour is a good and important event, but this year we chose to have the street lights on in view of what has happened. We want everyone to feel safe.”
Chief Constable Stephen Jerand added: “The police think it’s a very wise move and that the municipality made a good decision.
“Keeping the lights on creates security and is in line with our common efforts to increase security under current conditions.“