Yuletide revelry is a Finnish tradition, with ‘pikku joulu’ parties a firm fixture in the calendar. The sheer number of drinkers usually ensures police have plenty to do, and this year is no exception.
"Alcohol explains most of the call-outs," said Jorma Makkonen, operational director for Helsinki police.
Usually police see a peak of activity around closing time, when revellers leave their watering holes and feelings can run high. The next uptick in callouts comes when people arrive home. Some drunk drivers are also booked, when they try to drive home in their own car.
"If cars are left at home, that avoids a lot of problems," said Makkonen. "If you’re caught, drink-driving has a multiplier effect. There is work for the police, for the ambulance service, for prosecutors and for district courts."
Turku police also said they were busier than usual, with assaults, vandalism and drink-driving relatively common offences. In Oulu, police said there was no spike in call-outs as party-goers behaved relatively well.
In Western Uusimaa there was a rise in drink-driving, but Chief Constable Tero Wahlman told Yle that it could be down to increased patrols over the pikku joulu season.
