For several years, summer cottage owners in Norrtälje municipality have been victims of break-ins in empty vacation homes, without anything being stolen. An unknown perpetrator, nicknamed 'Spadmannen' by residents, is believed to be behind the break-ins. Owners have encountered broken doors and smashed windows, but valuables remain in the houses. The perpetrator uses tools available on the property, such as a shovel or spade, to break in and essentially takes nothing. Surveillance footage shows a man, often with a shovel, entering the cottages. According to residents, he has in some cases eaten food and lain in the bed before leaving the premises.
Police are investigating the incidents, with uncertainties remaining about the perpetrators. Since January, there have been five break-ins in Norrtälje municipality. Three different individuals appear on surveillance cameras in connection with break-ins. Police have indications that it could be persons from the past who are involved now, but they do not know with full certainty. A man was arrested after a break-in on Rådmansön at the end of December 2021 but was released hours later due to weak evidence. According to police figures, up to five reports this year have come in about the person or persons that local media have come to call 'Spadmannen'. It involves one or more intruders who break into vacation homes on Rådmansö, just 10 kilometers east of Norrtälje, but who rarely take anything of value from the premises. Instead, the person seems to stay in the houses to use what is available there—a bed, food, or drink. The name 'Spadmannen' comes from the perpetrator being caught on surveillance footage carrying a shovel or spade, possible tools for getting into the houses.
Residents have described profound emotional impacts from the break-ins. One of those who has a vacation home in the municipality, on Rådmansö, is Pye Siverling. Even though the perpetrator has not stolen things, she experiences it as an assault. She does not dare sleep in the house alone. What scares Pye is the thought of what would happen if 'Spadmannen' breaks in when she is home. She therefore sleeps with a baseball bat and a horn to quickly alert her neighbor.
The community has mobilized in response, with residents organizing safety meetings. On Monday, an open meeting was held between police and residents about recent break-ins. Pya, who has a house in the area, organized the safety meeting with police yesterday. She urges neighborhood cooperation and reporting to police if something unusual is seen or a break-in has occurred. Recently, Pye also convened a meeting between local residents, police, and the municipality to show the residents' fear and to get the police to act.
Police have downplayed the scale of the problem, contrasting with resident concerns. Jesper Emilsson is a community police officer in Norrtälje. He believes the uproar around 'Spadmannen' has taken on far too large proportions and that it is also not certain it is the same perpetrator. Police have had a few crimes out there now that have led to this starting up, and there are certain individuals who feel this is uncomfortable, but they are not victims themselves. It is becoming a big deal out of quite few events. It is nothing extraordinary. It is not a crime wave. Jesper Emilsson believes the story of 'Spadmannen' may have gained traction on social media and that the number of crimes is therefore perceived as more. He admits, however, that it could also be that police have not been informed about all break-ins.
We have had a few crimes out there now that have led to this starting up and there are certain individuals who feel that this feels uncomfortable, but they are not victims themselves.
The context of Norrtälje's vacation home landscape provides a backdrop for the break-ins. In Norrtälje municipality, there are over 26,000 vacation homes, many of which stand empty during the winter half-year. Last year, the number of reported break-ins in vacation properties in the municipality was 80 total.
Contradictions exist in the reported break-in numbers and police assessment. Since January, there have been five break-ins in Norrtälje municipality, with up to five reports this year about 'Spadmannen', and residents report a significant impact on safety. However, police have described having only a few crimes, with Jesper Emilsson stating it is becoming a big deal out of quite few events, it is nothing extraordinary, and it is not a crime wave.
Uncertainties persist about perpetrator identities and motives. The exact identity or identities of the perpetrator(s) known as 'Spadmannen' remains unknown. Police have not confirmed whether the arrested man from December 2021 is connected to the current break-ins. The specific motives behind the break-ins are unclear, given that nothing is typically stolen, though surveillance suggests the intruder uses available resources like food and beds.
Potential mental health aspects have been raised in the case. According to P4 Stockholm, police suspect that two persons with mental illness may be behind the events.
The implications for community safety and police resources are significant. Residents feel their safety has been compromised, leading to increased fear and precautionary measures. Police face challenges in addressing these concerns while managing perceptions of the problem's scale.
It is becoming a big deal out of quite few events. It is nothing extraordinary. It is not a crime wave.
Social media amplification has affected public perception of the break-ins. Jesper Emilsson believes the story of 'Spadmannen' may have gained traction on social media and that the number of crimes is therefore perceived as more.
Contradictions also exist regarding the number of perpetrators involved. Three different individuals appear on surveillance cameras in connection with break-ins. However, it is not certain it is the same perpetrator, and police suspect that two persons with mental illness may be behind the events.
Residents continue to take precautions amid ongoing fears. Pye Siverling does not dare sleep in the house alone and sleeps with a baseball bat and a horn to quickly alert her neighbor. What scares her is the thought of what would happen if 'Spadmannen' breaks in when she is home.
Police face challenges in patrolling the large vacation home areas. According to Pye, police claim the area is too large to patrol and that neighborhood cooperation has instead been suggested to residents as a solution to the problem.
The case remains unresolved, with ongoing investigations and community concerns. Police continue to gather evidence from surveillance footage and reports, while residents maintain vigilance and call for more action. The full number of unreported break-ins is unknown, as police admit they may not have been informed about all incidents.