Swedish Crime Policy Sees Mixed Results Amid Public Concern

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Swedish Crime Policy Sees Mixed Results Amid Public Concern

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Sweden’s current right-wing government, which came to power in 2022, has implemented a series of tougher measures to combat organized crime, fulfilling a key campaign promise. These initiatives include expanded police powers, enhanced electronic surveillance, and legislation allowing police to seize luxury items from individuals unable to prove legitimate ownership. In January 2025, the government also proposed revoking Swedish citizenship from dual-nationality gang members who commit crimes posing a risk to public security.

Statistics from the Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention (Brå) in 2024 indicated a decline in several categories of reported crime, such as theft, robbery, and fraud. Reported homicides fell to 92 cases in 2024, a drop of 29 compared to 2023, marking the lowest level in a decade. Gun violence, while still a concern, also saw a decrease, with 45 lives lost in 2024, eight fewer than in 2023. Shootings in Sweden declined by 33% between 2022 and 2024, from 390 to 262, with fatal shootings dropping by 35%. Police attribute these improvements to new powers, including increased electronic eavesdropping and more surveillance cameras.

However, Sweden continues to face significant challenges with gang-related violence, including shootings and bombings. In 2024, police recorded 317 bombings, more than double the number in 2023. Media estimates suggest that over 60,000 people may be connected to organized criminal networks. The rise in organized crime is attributed to factors such as social segregation and the evolving nature of gang activities, which are increasingly sophisticated and transnational, involved in drug trafficking, human smuggling, and weapons trade. Children are also increasingly involved in gang activities, with some as young as twelve being recruited.

Public concern about crime remains high. The 2023 Swedish Crime Survey revealed that 53% of the population aged 16–84 expressed great concern about crime, an increase from 46% in 2022. Despite this, 85% of Swedes reported feeling safe in their local area at night. The government acknowledges that effective crime prevention also requires addressing root causes like segregation and social inequality.

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