Gang violence in Sweden has reached alarming levels over the past year, with shootings and bombings becoming more frequent and spilling over into neighboring countries like Denmark and Norway. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson recently met with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen to discuss strategies to combat the rising gang crime.
Statistics reveal that Sweden has one of the highest per capita rates of gun crime in the EU, with an average of one shooting per day for every 10 million inhabitants. Gang violence has claimed the lives of 53 people in 2023 alone.
The issue has garnered attention after reports emerged of Swedish gangs expanding their operations into Denmark, Norway, and Finland. Young immigrants recruited by Swedish gangs have been linked to gang-related incidents in Copenhagen, leading to concerns about the close relationship between foreign policy and criminalization.
In response to the escalating violence, Denmark has tightened its border controls with Sweden and announced the hiring of young Swedes to commit crimes in Denmark. The Swedish government has established a cross-border police hub in Stockholm, with officers from Finland, Norway, and Denmark working together to combat the threat posed by gangs.
Nordic leaders have also pledged to improve communication between local and national authorities to address the issue of sustainable migration in the EU and Nordic region. The cooperation between countries aims to tackle the root causes of gang violence and prevent further escalation of the crisis.
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