Swedish authorities have identified 67,500 individuals with connections to organized crime networks. This includes 17,500 active gang criminals and 50,000 people with gang affiliations. The National Police Commissioner revealed these figures in a new threat assessment report released on Friday.
The report represents a notable increase from previous estimates. Police officials acknowledge the numbers appear alarming but clarify the rise stems from improved assessment methods rather than an actual surge in criminal activity. They now use more comprehensive criteria to identify gang connections.
Active gang members must meet specific conditions. They must appear in police databases for serious criminal activities involving multiple accomplices. Their criminal involvement must span a substantial time period. Police must also have current intelligence about their ongoing activities.
The National Police Commissioner stated police are working aggressively to reverse this trend. She described the number of active gang criminals as unacceptably high. Law enforcement alone cannot solve society-threatening crime, she emphasized.
Preventing children and youth from entering criminal networks remains crucial. The commissioner stressed that society must stop young people from taking on violent roles in gangs. Other community actors bear responsibility for crime prevention efforts, she noted. Early intervention for at-risk children requires particular attention.
The latest assessment shows increases in both categories. Active gang criminals numbered 14,000 in the previous February report. People with gang connections totaled 48,000. The current figures represent a combined increase of 5,500 individuals.
Police clarified their methodology changes explain the higher numbers. They now apply two specific criteria for identifying gang connections. Individuals must either have intelligence-documented contact with active gang criminals on at least two separate occasions. Alternatively, they must have been suspected of crimes with active gang members within the past three years.
Sweden's gang violence problem has drawn international attention in recent years. The country has experienced high-profile shootings and explosions in major urban areas. Criminal networks often recruit teenagers who face limited economic opportunities. These groups typically operate in socially vulnerable neighborhoods where trust in authorities remains low.
The government has implemented various measures to combat gang crime. These include longer sentences for serious offenses and increased police resources. Yet authorities acknowledge structural prevention work remains essential. Improving schools, creating youth programs, and strengthening social services form part of the broader strategy.
International readers should understand Sweden's crime statistics in context. While gang violence represents a serious challenge, Sweden remains one of Europe's safest countries overall. Most violent crime occurs within and between criminal networks rather than targeting ordinary citizens. The country's transparent reporting practices also mean crime statistics often appear more comprehensive than in nations with less thorough data collection.
Police efforts continue focusing on dismantling criminal networks through coordinated operations. Meanwhile, social services and community organizations work to prevent recruitment of new members. This dual approach reflects the complex nature of addressing organized crime in modern European societies.