The Justice Minister of Sweden, Gunnar Strömmer, has voiced concerns that eradicating the nation’s escalating violent crime crisis may take upwards of ten years. This comes in light of reports of drug gangs, predominantly comprising immigrants, infiltrating cornerstone societal institutions such as courts, law enforcement and penal servitudes.
In an interview with the Financial Times, Strömmer revealed that the culprits behind the lethal firearm incidences were employing criminals, with a particular emphasis on minors, to function on behalf of syndicates based abroad. Reports from Swedish Intelligence identify these foreign entities as violent radicals, even implicating certain government bodies, including Iran.
Experts in crime analysis have asserted that the origins of the crime wave are so deeply established, that a minimum of a ten-year period would be necessary to prevent today’s pre-school age youngsters from becoming the offenders of the future.
“These estimations on the policy’s timeframe are highly accurate”, Mr Strömmer commented. “The issues grappled with are grave and will require a lengthy and committed effort to implement effective changes, particularly with regard to child crime.”
The surge in both firearm and explosives attacks by these drug gangs has transitioned Sweden from ranking amongst the lowest for fatal shooting incidents in Europe, to the highest, in the span of just a decade.
Taking seat in 2022 following consecutive left- and right-leaning administrations’ liberal immigration directives, the incumbent conservative government pledged to intensify actions against gang activity.
Subsequently, the number of fatal shooting occurrences has seen a slight reduction, dropping from a high of 62 in 2022 in the country of 10.6 million, to 54 in the previous year, and 31 thus far in 2024.
Mr Strömmer highlighted the comprehensive threat posed by gangs extends beyond isolated criminal acts. “The regularity of their violent acts jeopardises the safety and freedom of ordinary citizens. They pose a threat to public servants within our social agencies, whilst attempting to infiltrate our courts, law enforcement and prisons.”
The instigators of these shooting incidents are alarmingly young, some as young as 13, in part due to the relatively lenient punishments meted out to those aged under 18.
Mr Strömmer, minister in the government, has revealed a severe clampdown on young men, particularly those linked to gang activities. Statistics have highlighted that over 90% of such youngsters, when sentenced to youth detention, return to criminal activities. In response, the government has not only increased prison sentences but also enforced extended time spent in jail.
Mr Strömmer also shared the government’s efforts on crime prevention from a societal viewpoint. These steps encompass fostering collaboration among educational institutions, law enforcement and social services to share pivotal information. As per him, such sharing could play a significant role in thwarting economic dishonesty and offering support to youngsters grappling with issues.
The minister lamented the long-term failure of Sweden to address crime and segregation. However, he optimistically noted that the newly implemented measures were generating positive outcomes. At the same time, he acknowledged the latent threat of potential cycles of violence resurfacing.
Strömmer expressed concerns about the continuous evolution in criminals’ skill set, citing the digital networks they have built to enlist young criminals, which is then extended to international gangs.
Swedish police have noted the penchant of local gangs to indulge in financial fraud and control a portion of the welfare system, such as private foster homes and residential centres for troubled teenagers, both to finance their operations and draw in younger recruits. These actions represent an unethical exploitation of the legal economic structure to gain a foothold in the welfare state, in the minister’s view.
Denmark’s justice minister, Peter Hummelgaard, has disparaged what he terms a disturbingly twisted culture of violence in Sweden. He threw light on 25 instances where Danish gangs have reportedly commissioned Swedish teenagers for violent criminal activity. Addressing these incidents with a clear sense of outrage, Mr Hummelgaard last month stated his immense anger and fear at the development.
Original text source: The Financial Times Limited 2024.