Police forensics work outside the police station in Helsingborg, on October 18, 2017, after a powerful explosion occured at the main entrance. Nobody was injured in the explosion, which occurred shortly after midnight local time and also shattered windows in a neighboring building, police said in a statement. - AFP

STOCKHOLM: A powerful explosion blew out the entrance to a police station in the southern Swedish city of Helsingborg yesterday, an attack authorities linked to their fight against organized crime. The explosion occurred just after midnight in the city centre, which is home to around 100,000 people. Prime Minister Stefan Lofven called it "an attack against our democracy" and urged authorities to "step up the fight against serious crime." The blast, heard from as far away as 20 kilometers, caused no injuries but serious material damage.

The police station entrance was completely destroyed, with dozens of windows smashed. Police sources quoted by daily Aftonbladet said several kilos of explosives were used.

The head of the local police, Patric Heimbrand, told reporters that investigators were working on the presumption that "criminal circles" were behind the attack. He said police work against gangs was paying off and likely causing "irritation".