A group of young people rioted and messed up places in the shopping center – the police arrested several young people, including minors

A group of people are standing in front of a shopping center in Lahti.  The building was evacuated due to the fire.
Security guards and police officers removed young people from the Lahti shopping center several times on Sunday. The young people came back despite the bans. Stock photo.

The guards’ and policemen’s calls to leave did not work, instead a group of dozens of young people repeatedly returned to the shopping center in Lahti.

In the Syke shopping center in Paavola, Lahti, an exceptional situation was experienced on Sunday, when a large group of young people did not follow the orders given by the security guards and the police to leave.

At first, in the afternoon, a group of youths of several dozen made a fuss and littered in the shopping center.

The guards removed them, but the young people returned repeatedly in the afternoon and evening.

The police were asked for help and several patrols went to the scene. Disruptive young people were also removed from the shopping center by the police.

The calls given by the authorities to stay away were not effective either, and some of the young people returned.

According to the police’s estimate, there were about 30–50 young people there the first time, and about half of the original number returned to the shopping center again.

The young people have closely followed the news and discussion of the guards’ actions in recent weeks, which may also have an impact on the behavior that has occurred now.

The police arrested five people at the scene. Some were fined for necking.

Among those arrested were minors. The matter was reported to the children’s parents and social services.