Icelandic government anticipates recommendations to address youth violence and knife carry

The Icelandic government is expecting recommendations from a task force in the coming days to address the rising carry of knives and violence among youth. Officials emphasize the urgency of a swift response.

During a meeting held this morning, immediate action plans were discussed with representatives from law enforcement and the healthcare system. The session, which lasted approximately two hours, followed a government meeting. According to Minister of Justice Guðrún Hafsteinsdóttir, there is a pressing need to consider both short-term and long-term strategies.

Guðrún stated, “The government is taking this issue very seriously. Both the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Education and Children introduced initiatives in June. A task force has been appointed and will meet tomorrow. We stressed the importance that they review the proposals and prioritize accordingly. We expect to receive suggestions from them within a few days.”

Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson also emphasized the need for a response to what he termed a slowly developing but now critical situation. He expressed that the recent events have escalated the urgency and the need to evaluate which measures are most critical and how to prioritize them effectively. One proposed measure includes increasing police visibility as a means to address the violence.

As discussions continue, the government remains focused on ensuring the safety and well-being of the youth and the broader community amid rising concerns over violent incidents.