Oulu police have received well over 100 tips from the public regarding a series of knife attacks in the northern Finnish city this year. That follows the release of three photos of the suspect, seen cycling away from the scene of one of the attacks wearing jeans, a jacket and a cap.
There has been a string of stabbings in Oulu this year, in which a man on a bicycle has assaulted people of foreign origin. Police say there are indications of a racist motive in the cases. A man who attacked a woman in early June spoke briefly in English, using a derogatory term referencing foreigners.
Law enforcement authorities say they are conducting an intense, multipronged investigation into the most recent known incident, on a pedestrian path in the Kaukovainio neighbourhood last Friday. The victim suffered serious injuries.
They say the probe is being conducted using a variety of tactical and technical investigation methods, as well as checking tips from the public.
According to Petri Savela, head of the Oulu Police Department's investigation unit, reviewing and checking public tips takes time, but every one is checked. Authorities are also poring over a large volume of surveillance camera footage from the area around the incident, a time-consuming process.
"The police have focused their resources on identifying the perpetrator. Officers from several investigative teams are working on the case. There is a lot going on behind the scenes that is not visible to the public," Savela said in a press release on Wednesday afternoon.
Rantanen urges eyewitnesses to come forward
Despite the large number of tips, the police are still seeking the public's help in identifying the perpetrator.
Interior Minister Mari Rantanen (Finns) condemned the attacks in an email response to Yle. She urged any possible witnesses to report their observations to the police.
"Every tip, even one that seems insignificant, may be significant. I have complete confidence that the police will do all they can to catch the suspect or suspects and bring them to criminal responsibility," Rantanen wrote.
The latest incidents follow several stabbing attacks on foreign nationals in Oulu in the summer of 2024.
