A new police assessment reveals Sweden faces a substantial organized crime challenge. Authorities identified 67,500 individuals connected to criminal networks across the country. This includes 17,500 actively involved members and 50,000 people with established gang ties.
The Swedish National Police presented these findings on Friday. Police Commissioner Petra Lundh described the number of active gang criminals as far too large. She confirmed police are working aggressively to reverse this trend.
Police databases tracked active gang members using specific criteria. Individuals needed involvement in serious criminal activities with others over substantial time periods. Current intelligence about their activities also contributed to the classification.
Commissioner Lundh emphasized that prosecution alone cannot solve society-threatening crime. She stated the priority must be preventing children and young people from taking on violent roles. Police work very offensively in this area, but crime prevention requires broader societal efforts.
Other community actors bear responsibility for early interventions with at-risk youth. The current assessment shows an increase of 5,500 individuals compared to the previous police count. Authorities clarify this doesn't reflect actual growth in gang membership.
Improved assessment methods caused the higher numbers. The police changed how they evaluate gang connections between reports. Their February assessment showed 14,000 active gang criminals and 48,000 with gang links.
Individuals qualify as gang-connected by meeting one of two criteria. They must have intelligence-confirmed contact with active gang members on at least two separate occasions. Alternatively, they faced suspicion of committing crimes with active gang members within the past three years.
This situation reflects broader Nordic organized crime trends. Sweden's gang problems have drawn international attention in recent years. The country faces challenges with grenade attacks and shootings in major urban areas.
Police methods for tracking gang membership have evolved significantly. Earlier assessments relied more heavily on criminal convictions. Current approaches incorporate intelligence and association patterns.
The high numbers highlight systemic challenges beyond law enforcement. Social services, schools, and community organizations play crucial roles in prevention. International readers should understand this represents a complex societal issue rather than purely a police matter.
Sweden's approach combines aggressive policing with prevention efforts. The country continues developing strategies to combat gang recruitment and violence. These latest numbers provide the most comprehensive picture yet of the challenge's scale.