HELSINKI, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Four to six possible mass shootings have been prevented in Finland annually after the country improved its working method to prevent such attacks, Finnish police have said.
The discussion over threats of mass shootings in Finland came in the wake of the attack by a teenager who killed 10, including himself, and wounded 35 in Munich, Germany on Friday.
Police inspector Timo Kilpelainen from the National Police Board said the Finnish system was improved following a series of school shootings in the 2000s.
"There are currently several dozens of persons under surveillance, both in real-life situations and in the cyber world," Kilpelainen said in an interview with national broadcaster Yle on Saturday.
The pre-emptive system comprises joint teams of social workers and the police. Such groups work in major towns.
The social workers do not act as criminal investigators but can alert the police. "Advance notification of someone's behaviour gives the police a chance to intervene," Kilpelainen said.
Kilpelainen noted in open societies such as Finland or Germany, mass shootings can not be completely prevented "as individuals have great freedom and privacy." But an assessment system of threats and behaviour has been developed.
Nearly 10 years ago, Finland awoke to the violence involving young people who suffer mental problems.
In 2007, eight people and the shooter were killed in a school in Jokela, near Helsinki, and in 2008, 10 people and the shooter were killed in Kauhajoki, western Finland. Additionally, there have been several fatal stabbings in Finnish schools.
In Finland, gun licences are issued for sport shooting or hunting purposes only. An individual can not obtain a gun for self-defence purposes. A citizen must be 18 years old to possess a gun, while a 16-year-old can have a parallel licence. An appliant's request to own a gun will be turned down if he or she has health issues or criminal records.
In the 2008 case, a policeman questioned the shooter on the day before the shooting after the shooter placed violent videos on the Internet. However, his gun licence was not revoked. The police officer received a warning after the shootings.
