Teen murder-for-hire gangs in Denmark are Sweden’s responsibility, says minister – POLITICO

“We have now just lately seen how gang conflicts have flared up. Explosions. Shootings. An eerie instance is that cynical criminals rent Swedish youths to commit crimes in Denmark. We won’t settle for that. The federal government views the issue with the utmost seriousness,” she mentioned.

Jens-Kristian Lütken, Copenhagen’s mayor of employment and integration, referred to as on Sweden to assist.

“Since it is a Swedish downside that has come to Denmark, it’s pure that the Swedish police contributes to fixing it,” Lütken mentioned.

Following the criticism from the Danish facet, the top of Sweden’s worldwide unit on the Nationwide Operations Division (NOA), Håkan Wall, hit again on the nation.

“Sadly, Sweden has distinguished itself by the truth that the gangs have a really excessive capital for violence and that is exploited by different criminals in neighboring nations. However that doesn’t make Sweden answerable for all crime in both Denmark or Norway,” he instructed information company TT.

Hummelgaard introduced Tuesday that the cross-border police cooperation will likely be strengthened within the coming weeks, with Danish law enforcement officials to be stationed in Sweden, elevated management on the border and stronger messaging to Swedish youngsters that might take into account committing crimes in Denmark. The police has additionally requested a facial recognition instrument, which the justice minister considers “an excellent thought,” however requires altering the legislation.

Gang violence has been a serious downside in Sweden for a while now. It exists in Denmark, too, however on a a lot lesser scale. Criminals select to rent youngsters as they’re usually shielded from prosecution and face decrease punishments if caught.

Diamant Salihu, a Swedish crime journalist, mentioned that the Danish authorities shouldn’t succumb to the notion that the recruited youngsters have a poor background or grew up in a socially challenged setting.

“Many see it as an issue with migrants, however this radicalization and normalization of the gangster life-style additionally attracts middle-class kids with OK backgrounds and fogeys who’re ethnically Swedish. It’s not simply the poor, challenged kids anymore,” he instructed Danish TV 2, including that it’s additionally ladies who let themselves be employed.