Denmark intensifies anti-gang efforts to protect youth from criminal recruitment

In Denmark, municipalities and police are increasing efforts to prevent young people from being drawn into criminal gangs, particularly as Swedish youth are being recruited for criminal activities. Initiatives are being implemented to engage with at-risk youth, including children as young as eight years old, particularly in Aarhus where a collaboration named ‘Knæk Kurven’ (Break the Curve) aims to share information about children growing up in families linked to gang crime. Authorities plan to reach out to affected families over the coming weeks to address concerns about criminal influence in their homes.

The strategy includes proactive visits to families at risk of gang involvement, employing what is referred to as a knock-knock strategy, where officers reach out to young people and their families to discuss potential risks. Similar efforts are underway in Aalborg, where task forces are contacting families and working closely with social prevention consultants to guide youth towards positive engagements, like jobs or education changes.

The Danish government’s recent anti-gang package emphasizes preventive measures, including focused collaborations designed to shield siblings of gang members from gang culture and strict laws against recruiting minors for criminal activities. In Odense, a new IT tool is being utilized to map youth involved in troublesome groups, making it easier for authorities to understand gang dynamics.

Experts highlight the importance of cooperation and targeted approaches in these prevention efforts, stressing that identifying at-risk individuals and providing them with constructive alternatives is far more effective than broad, unfocused strategies. Overall, police efforts in major cities like Copenhagen emphasize direct communication about the dangers of gang affiliation to deter youth from criminal paths.