SHOOTINGS IN COPENHAGEN

Denmark is one of the safest places on earth; I can't remember the last time I saw a policeman in my local village or heard of a crime. A number of right-wing politicians will tell you otherwise, but it wouldn't be true.

Lately, however, a new trend is starting in Copenhagen, namely shootings. So far this year there have been 25 such incidents. Before you think of L.A. or Harlem, I should say that they are rarely fatal. Nevertheless, by Danish standards, this is getting a bit like the O.K. Corrall.

The reason behind this development is gang warfare. There have long been turf wars in Scandinavia between Hell's Angels and Bandidos, mainly over drugs. The new element is gangs of immigrants, who were supposed to be muscled out of the way, but who are fighting back, obviously with guns.

The police are keeping a wary eye on all of this; yesterday saw raids on some 64 different addresses in the greater Copenhagen area, which netted guns, drugs and cash. They are presumably acting now in order to nip things in the bud. Whether they succeed is of course another matter entirely.

Walter Blotscher