A 22-year-old man in Holbæk has become the first person in Denmark to be banned from a specific area due to behavior causing insecurity among residents. Midt- and Vestsjællands Police announced the ban, which took effect following an amendment to the Police Act on July 1st.

The ban prohibits the man from being within 500 meters of Havevang, near the Grønneparken housing estate, for 30 days. This administrative decision was made after the police provided the man an opportunity to respond.

The police district reports that the 22-year-old is known for drug dealing and vandalizing surveillance cameras in Grønneparken. He does not reside in the restricted area.

The new residence ban, according to the law, can only be implemented in areas experiencing general insecurity, which the police say is the case with Grønneparken. The housing estate is listed as a “prevention area” by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Housing due to factors such as more than 30% of residents being outside the labor market.

Police Inspector Thomas Tarpgaard described the 22-year-old as an “obvious candidate” for the ban because the individual’s behavior made others feel unsafe.

The police believe that the new ban is a valuable tool, referencing a visit from the Minister of Justice to Holbæk last summer, where the issue of evicted tenants’ families returning to the area and increasing insecurity was discussed.

Violating the residence ban will initially result in a fine of DKK 10,000, with subsequent violations potentially leading to imprisonment. Individuals can appeal the ban to the National Police Commissioner.