Over the summer, Malmö in southern Sweden and Copenhagen in Denmark have been plagued by escalating gang violence, with three deaths reported and at least 25 attacks or attempted attacks. The Swedish city and its Danish counterpart have seen an increase in young individuals being recruited for criminal activities, as they face less scrutiny and lighter sentences if caught. Criminals often target socially disadvantaged immigrant neighborhoods for recruitment, with young Swedes being hired by Danes to commit crimes in Denmark. The use of guns, bombs, and hand grenades in these attacks has raised concerns among law enforcement officials on both sides of the border.
According to Malmö police officer Glenn Sjögren, the age of those involved in these crimes is particularly troubling, with young teenagers being used as “rental killers” due to their cost efficiency and reduced legal repercussions. Karolina Sköld, who works with a youth program in Malmö, highlighted the role of online grooming in luring children into criminal environments. As a result of the cross-border crime between Sweden and Denmark, police from both countries are now working together to address the issue.
While Sweden has long struggled with gang violence, Denmark has also seen an increase in gang-related incidents, albeit on a smaller scale. The collaboration between law enforcement agencies from both countries signals a united effort to combat the rising gang violence in the region.
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