Sweden introduces ID checks for travellers from Denmark

Sweden has introduced ID checks for people travelling from Denmark in a bid to curbing the number of migrants entering the country.

Anyone wanting to cross between the two countries by train, bus or ferry will be refused entry without the necessary documents.

Travellers have been able to cross borders between the two Nordic countries without passports since the late 1950s but starting today all Sweden-bound trains will be stopped for mandatory border controls.

The new border checks were instigated by Sweden to try to slow an influx of migrants that is expected to reach 190,000 this year.

The country says its asylum system cannot cope and that other European Union states must take in more refugees.

In Denmark, train operator DSB said it will start emptying all trains at Copenhagen Airport, the last stop before the Oresund Bridge to Sweden.

Passengers will have to enter the terminal and show identification before re-boarding the train.

It has set up 34 staffed slots at the airport station to check papers. DSB said the checks will extend travel time by up to 45 minutes - longer than the 34-minute train journey between Sweden and Denmark.

Around 16,000 people make the trip every day.