Sweden struggles with violent gang crime despite increased police funding and personnel

Despite a significant increase in police funding and personnel in recent years, as well as stricter legislation, Sweden continues to struggle with violent gang crime. So far this year, there have been 186 shootings, resulting in 31 fatalities, and the number of children suspected in murder cases has tripled.

National Police Commissioner Petra Lundh stated that the failure to combat gang violence is not solely a police issue, but a societal one. “We have segregation and vulnerable areas. There are people who have come to Sweden perhaps with honor-based cultures or from clan societies and do not trust the authorities. Sweden has not been sufficiently effective in addressing this,” she expressed in a recent interview.

Lundh emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach involving all sectors of society in order to tackle these complex issues.