Ikea beefs up store security following blasts
Published: 17 Jun 11 08:14 CET | Print version
Updated: 17 Jun 11 11:54 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/34406/20110617/
Swedish furniture giant Ikea said Friday it had raised its security level across Europe to make its customers feel safer after booby-trapped products at several of its stores have caused small explosions in recent weeks.
- German police probe Ikea blast links (13 Jun 11)
- Ikea stores hit in bomb attacks (31 May 11)
- Kamprad pledges Ikea 'transparency' (18 May 11)
"We are doing that by among other things raising the number of guards," she said, refusing to divulge what other additional security measures were being taken.
The move comes after a string of small explosions at Ikea stores.
On June 10, a blast in the kitchen equipment department of an Ikea store in Dresden, Germany, reportedly left two customers needing hospital treatment, while booby-trapped alarm clocks also blew up at Ikea stores in Belgium, France and The Netherlands on May 30, but caused no damage or injuries.
No one has so far claimed responsibility for the explosions.
Magnusson stressed Friday that the company had not received "any threats or any other indication that there is an increased danger," but had decided to raise security "simply as a safety precaution aimed at making people feel safer."
She said the company was closely monitoring police probes into the blasts, but would not comment on whether any advances had been made.
According to some media reports this week, German police are toying with the theory the blasts might be targeted at Ikea's 85-year-old founder Ingvar Kamprad over his well-known Nazi sympathies in his youth.
Ikea had Thursday asked German police if there was any basis to the reports, "and we were told there wasn't," Magnusson said.
Kamprad himself told the Swedish daily Expressen he did not think there were any concrete suspicions yet and that he was not part of the probe.
"The police have not at all asked me about what I know and don't know," he said.
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They have a fantastic breakfast at an incredible price. No other restaurant comes close, and the coffee is great! The service is the same I experienced in Sweden yet the workers are of many nationalities and treat customers in way that seemed as if I was back in Stockholm, great!
Naturally, local stores try to keep it from growing and dirty politics keep it from expanding. My bookcases all come from IKEA, they form my oasis. Thanks, you all!