Icelandic Restaurateur Slams Police Over 'Unusual' Oversight

Steinþór Helgi Arnsteinsson, owner of the bar Röntgen and restaurant Skreið, has voiced strong criticism against what he describes as disproportionate and intrusive police surveillance of bars and restaurants in Iceland. He argues that the level of oversight is unusual, with police frequently entering establishments during busy periods to demand staff identification and other documents.

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This would never be tolerated in another industry. Of course, there should be oversight, but it doesn't have to be so aggressive and so unusual.

Arnsteinsson contends that such aggressive tactics would be unacceptable in other sectors of the economy. He points to an incident where police and tax officials sealed off a restaurant during lunchtime while patrons were present. "This would never be tolerated in another industry," he stated, questioning whether other businesses, like fish processing plants, would endure similar scrutiny. He believes that while regulatory oversight is essential, it must be conducted with proportionality and not based on arbitrary or aggressive methods.

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They were basically always there a quarter before closing. These are such unusual interventions. I understand oversight and all that, but then there must be a justified suspicion of something else.

Recounting his experience managing a venue in Flateyri, Arnsteinsson described police presence as excessive, with officers often appearing shortly before closing time. He found these interventions to be "unusual," suggesting they should only occur if there is a justified suspicion of wrongdoing. He urged the public to resist becoming accustomed to such practices, emphasizing that constant police presence without clear cause is not normal and should be questioned.

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People had become somewhat accustomed to it in Flateyri. I asked why the police were always outside, and they said they were just doing their job. What do you mean? Is it also outside the bank checking things because it's doing its job? Or outside a ship or a bookstore? This is not normal, and people shouldn't become so accustomed to it that it's considered normal.