Security Guards, ABB Halt and Clock Chimes

Västerås will get security guards at the station after a report of insecurity. At the same time, Mälarenergi's sponsorship is being criticised, and China halts a major ABB deal. A competition will provide music for the Riksdag's 500th anniversary.

Private security guards to increase safety at the station

In Västerås, the municipality (the local authority) has decided to introduce private security guards at the station. The background is recurring problems with gangs hanging around the station and drug dealing in the vicinity, and the area has felt unsafe. After Pressbyrån closed in the evening, the station feels deserted, according to people whom SVT Nyheter Västmanland has spoken to.

The Moderates in Västerås proposed the private security guards, and the decision has now been made. The party also wanted private security guards at Bäckby centrum, but the majority said no. The police did not think it was a good idea either, since they are working on other measures there. SVT Nyheter Västmanland

Family stays with friends after dangerous substance

A family moved into a rental apartment on Engelbrektsgatan in Västerås in June this year. According to the family, the home needed renovation already when they moved in. They continued living in the apartment while the hallway floor was torn up, and weeks later tests revealed a dangerous substance.

The family now lives with friends and is highly critical. VLT

Mälarenergi's sponsorship is to be scrutinized

After Mälarenergi's corporate networking with the hockey clubs Djurgårdens IF and Örebro HK came to light, the company chose to withdraw. VLT has examined Mälarenergi's sports-related sponsorship, and now two of Västerås' most influential politicians are reacting.

The opposition councillor (M) demands a thorough review of the city's sports sponsorship. The chair of the municipal executive board (S) will demand a full progress report when he takes office as the new chair of Mälarenergi at the turn of the year. VLT

China blocks ABB's major deal

Chinese authorities have prohibited Soft Bank from buying ABB's Robotics business in China. It was last year that ABB reached an agreement with Soft Bank to sell Robotics for 5,4 billion dollars.

ABB's communications chief tells SVT Nyheter Västmanland that the company cannot say more than what is stated in the press release at this point. She cannot say whether the halt affects the group's operations in Västerås. SVT Nyheter Västmanland

VSK supporters sell tickets at high prices

On 29 November, Hammarby, in pursuit of gold, comes to Hitachi Energy Arena. Hammarby fans were given 2,000 tickets, which sold out in 20 minutes.

Now VSK supporters are trying to sell their tickets to Hammarby fans at high prices. A supporter profile reacted strongly and told VLT that it is “completely reprehensible.” VLT

Competition to provide music for the Riksdag’s anniversary

Next year marks 500 years since Sweden’s first Riksdag was held in Västerås in 1527. The Riksdag (Sweden’s parliament) will be celebrated with a specially composed melody in the clock tower of Västerås City Hall.

The carillon is described as Northern Europe’s largest and measures 65 metres in height and has 47 bells spanning three and a half octaves. City Hall and the clock tower were inaugurated on 19 August 1960. A competition that opened on Thursday is to find the melody. SVT Nyheter Västmanland

In brief

• SVT Nyheter Västmanland unpublished an article and video about an alleged otter in central Västerås following suspicions that the video footage was AI-generated. SVT Nyheter Västmanland
• Mälarenergi is reducing its workforce by 40 jobs in Kraft & Värme without layoffs; all positions were eliminated through voluntary agreements, natural departures and internal relocations. SVT Nyheter Västmanland
• Witexa AB has been established in Västerås. VLT
• The government (the Swedish government) is reintroducing internal border controls from 12 November, citing, among other things, the increased threat of Russian sabotage that Säpo has warned about. VLT
• Västerås SK/KVBS is behind after its first match. VLT
• A masked person was detained after a police chase in the Hammarby district of Västerås on Thursday evening and is suspected of gross weapons offences. SVT Nyheter Västmanland