In a coordinated effort to prevent the spread of Sweden's gang crime problem, Nordic countries are intensifying their police cooperation. The Swedish government has announced plans to establish a police hub in Stockholm, involving law enforcement from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland.
Gunnar Strommer, Sweden's Justice Minister, revealed that Sweden and Denmark will exchange police officers and share real-time information. This initiative aims to identify at-risk youth and prevent their recruitment into criminal networks.
"The reality right now is that not only Denmark but large parts of the Nordics are feeling the consequences of long-standing failed immigration and legal policies in Sweden, and we take that extremely seriously."
Denmark has been particularly vocal in its criticism of Sweden's handling of gang violence. Hummelgaard described Sweden's culture of violence as "sick" and unwelcome in Denmark. This criticism comes in the wake of 10 Swedish nationals, more than half of them minors, being charged in Denmark with attempted murder or weapons possession in the past year.
The gang problem in Sweden is largely attributed to poor integration of immigrants. Sweden has taken in over two million people since 2000, with about 20% of its 10 million population born abroad. This influx, coupled with integration challenges, has contributed to Sweden having the highest per capita rate of gun violence in the European Union.
In 2023, Sweden recorded 55 fatal shootings in 363 separate incidents, a stark contrast to the combined total of six fatal shootings in the other three Nordic countries. This disparity highlights the severity of Sweden's gang violence issue.
The problem has begun to spill over borders, with Norwegian police reporting that Swedish criminal networks are now operating throughout Norway. The Schengen Agreement's open borders have facilitated this spread, prompting Denmark to implement tighter surveillance at its Swedish border in the summer of 2023.
In response to these challenges, Sweden's centre-right government, elected in 2022 with support from the far-right Sweden Democrats, has pledged to focus on law and order and reduced immigration. This political shift reflects growing concerns about the impact of immigration policies on public safety.
The Nordic countries' collaborative approach, leveraging their long-standing cooperation through the Nordic Council, demonstrates a unified front against transnational crime. As these nations work together, they hope to address the root causes of gang violence while preserving the region's reputation for safety and social welfare.