In November, 18.151 border-crossings were counted at Storskog border stations, reports the police responsible for immigrations formalities. That is an increase of 31 percent compared with the same month last year.
So far in 2011, a total of 172.049 border-crossings are counted, 32.000 more than in the entire 2010. By the year-end, the numbers of border-crossings will pass 190.000.
The majority of people crossing the border are Russians driving to Kirkenes for shopping.
In order to cope with the increasing number of border crossers, Norwegian border authorities will employ eight new immigrations officers from April next year.
