Norway's capital saw an unusual intervention at a classic Oslo pub this week when a former foreign correspondent stepped in to stop an attempted theft. The incident unfolded at Welhavens Sjenkestue on St. Hanshaugen, a pub that has served thirsty patrons since the 1990s. According to Fredrik Græsvik, 58, a former TV 2 foreign correspondent, two visibly intoxicated men entered the bar on Wednesday evening and were denied service. The situation escalated when the pair decided to take matters into their own hands. "They were going to rob the place of spirits. One of them managed to get hold of some bottles and ran out the door," Græsvik said. "The other one, I put on the ground."
From Correspondent to Crime Stopper
Græsvik, who was at the pub because it is near his home, said he was standing next to the man and could intervene before the situation developed further. He described his motivation as a need to neutralize a potential threat. "I was unsure if the two men were armed," he explained. "So I just wanted to disable him as quickly as possible, really." After subduing the man, Græsvik leaned on a bar stool placed over him and waited for police. In the interim, a conversation began. "He hurt himself a bit, because I put him down a bit hard. He was in pain and was a little scared at first, but then I talked to him. He told me his name, and then we talked a bit," Græsvik recounted. He noted the man was visibly drunk and tried unsuccessfully to get up from under the stool.
Police Response and Aftermath
According to Kamilla Karlsholmen Hauge, a communications advisor for the Oslo Police District, officers were called to the scene around 10:00 PM. Police subsequently removed three men from the area following the incident. Græsvik said the man he detained was ultimately released by the arriving officers. "He hadn't really done much wrong, other than fall on the floor. The police let him go," he said. The bottles of spirits, however, were not recovered, having disappeared with the first man who fled. With the episode concluded, Græsvik's evening ended simply. "Then there was nothing more to do. Then I went home," he said. Management at Welhavens Sjenkestue confirmed the event took place but described it as undramatic.
Reflecting on Reflexes
Græsvik linked his decisive action to previous employment from decades past, not his journalism career. "I worked as a bouncer in the 80s, so I think it's good that I have those reflexes," he stated. When asked if those instincts remain, he confirmed, "They're still there." This background provided him with a different set of skills than those typically used in foreign correspondence, yet they proved applicable in an unexpected local scenario. The incident highlights how ordinary settings can swiftly become scenes of minor crime, requiring split-second decisions from bystanders.
Oslo's Neighborhood Pub Culture
The event occurred at a neighborhood institution, a type of "brun pub" or traditional brown café that forms the bedrock of Oslo's casual social scene. These establishments are known for their relaxed atmosphere, making Wednesday's attempted theft a disruptive anomaly. St. Hanshaugen is a residential area where such pubs are community fixtures, not typically associated with criminal disturbances. The attempted robbery, while minor, punctured the usual tranquility of the local watering hole. It serves as a reminder that even in the safest cities, opportunistic crimes can occur, often fueled by intoxication.
The Broader Context of Oslo Crime
While violent crime rates in Norway remain low by international standards, petty theft and public order incidents related to alcohol are not uncommon in urban nightlife districts. The police's response—removing the individuals from the area—is a standard procedure for handling disorderly conduct where no serious injury or major property damage occurs. This practical approach focuses on de-escalation and immediate resolution. Incidents like this one rarely make major headlines but form the bulk of routine police work in the city center, balancing law enforcement with proportional response.