Oslo, due to its large population, is the crime capital of Norway, according to official statistics. However, despite this, Oslo is still an incredibly safe city by international standards.
While the city has seen an increase in gang activity and violent crimes committed by young people in recent years, the city’s locals still feel safe overall. A survey by the newspaper Aftenposten found that 77 percent considered the city safe.
Safety is one of the factors that help make Oslo a great place to live. Despite this, some areas of the city have attracted a negative reputation.
Figures for some of these areas have been hard to come by for this article, although we have tried to link to official reports or high profile incidents where possible.
Are there any parts of Oslo where you feel unsafe, or have attracted a unfair reputation? Let us know in the comments
Grønland
Neighbouring the very centre of Oslo is the Grønland district. It is also the part of the city which has had the most trouble shaking its reputation as “unsafe” or “dangerous”.
The area has seen gang and drug activity increase in recent years, and as a result, more serious crime has followed. Businesses in the area have also reported more crimes being committed against them.
Police in Oslo have set up initiatives to deploy more officers in the area and target violent and drug-related crime.
However, part of the area's reputation is also fueled by anti-immigration rhetoric. Grønland has long been one of the most multicultural areas of the capital and has historically had a significant immigrant population.
Many have tried to depict the area as a lawless or unsafe, but most residents who live in the area find it a vibrant part of the city home to some of Oslo’s best restaurants, cafes and bars.
For the most part, the area is safe both day and night. Although, women are generally advised to avoid the park and sections of the river at night.
READ ALSO: Do foreigners feel safe in Oslo?
Stovner
Stovner, which is both a neighbourhood and a larger administrative district in Oslo, has seen gangs become a bigger issue for the area.
But with a lot of entries on this list, the most “dangerous” places in a very safe city are still safe.
The areas around the tower blocks are more densely inhabited than other areas in the city, and this puts many off the area.
The area also has plenty of positives, though, it's home to plenty of forests and hiking trails, and there are plenty of areas where Norwegian-style villas have been built. In terms of property prices, it is also one of the cheapest areas to buy in Oslo.
One big downside to the area is that it is a long commute into the city centre (by Oslo standards).
Grorud
A lot of what could be said about Stovner could also be said about Grorud. The area has a bad reputation but is a perfectly fine place to live.
Like Stovner, there are some issues with drugs and gangs, but overall, trouble won’t find you unless you go looking for it.
Aside from some of the debate around these areas being fuelled by anti-immigration rhetoric, some of the stigma has to do with the traditional east/west divide in Oslo.
The west has also been a desirable place to live and has been home to the nicest homes and neighbourhoods. Meanwhile, the east has had a much poorer population.
This east and west divide has socially and economically divided the capital historically, although the much-improved reputations of areas like Grünerløkka, Torshov and Sagene have blurred the lines a bit.
Storgata
This street runs between the districts of St. Hanshaugen and Grünerløkka. The area has gained a reputation due to the number of people with substance abuse issues that gather in the area.
While the area has been compared to an open drug market, and the sight of people struggling with substance abuse issues is upsetting, the people who gather in the area rarely bother passersby. Given the large number that pass through due to the tram stop, there are also plenty of people around at all times of day.
Still, violent issues have occurred in the area, and with the large number of bars on Storgata and nearby Torggata, fights and trouble sometimes spill out onto the surrounding streets.
Oslo’s parks at night
Historically Oslo’s parks have been hotspots for sexual assaults. Even Slottsparken, right by the royal palace in central Oslo, is considered unsafe to pass through at night.
Sofienberg Park, located in trendy Grünerløkka, is an area people avoid passing through at night. Sections of the two rivers that run through Oslo are also considered unsafe for women at night.
Frogner (or at least its residents)
This is a more tongue-in-cheek suggestion. Frogner is actually an incredibly safe and pleasant part of the city.
However, due to the area being home to some of the city's most affluent residents, the people who live there have attracted reputations as snobby and stuck-up.
Obviously, this is a worn-out stereotype and is unfair to most of the people who live in the area, but if you live in Oslo, you will undoubtedly encounter a few "Frogner-types" who rub you the wrong way.
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