Swedish Police have released a statement on their work to counter the wave of violence seen across the county of Stockholm, home to Sweden’s capital of the same name.
“Fewer people are dying from deadly violence and there are more people in custody than ever in Stockholm County. These are some of the results of the work that is underway to stop the wave of violence that has hit the capital – but the wave of violence is not over,” the statement opens.
Magnus Mowitz, deputy chief of the Stockholm North Police Region, is then quoted as saying the area presently has “the largest number of detainees to date,” but that “a long-term approach” is required to continue making progress.
The Stockholm Region registered an decrease of deadly violence from 44 cases in 2023 to 25 in 2024, the lowest figure in 10 years. While a large number are in custody, there are also several suspects under the age of 18 and thus taken into care under other legislation, such as the Youth Care Act (LVU).
“We see positive developments in some respects, but at the same time it is important to emphasize that the wave of violence is not over. It can flare up in other forms for various reasons. From shootings, to explosions or, for example, to an increased number of threats and extortion or other serious violent crimes that affect individuals. We are following developments closely to constantly try to stay one step ahead,” says Magnus Mowitz.
Measures underway include early detection, rapid action, the expanded use of surveillance cameras, and other ways to monitor profits from criminal activities — all to help deter youth from choosing a criminal lifestyle.
The statement emphasize the need for collaboration with author local authorities and the business community, including taxis, hotels, and shops, to help stop violent crimes before they happen. Along the same lines, efforts are being made to monitor youths and find out if/when they deviate/run away from various institutions so as to quickly find them and intervene.
“We have contacted the taxi industry, hotels and shops for help. We want them to contact us to an increased extent when they react to something unusual. It could be a young person who seems lost in a taxi or people who buy a large number of thermoses. The collaboration means that we receive more and more tips that help us prevent crime and contribute to the investigation work,” says Max Åkerwall, deputy chief of the Stockholm South police district.
Focus is also being placed on going after “so-called instigators” who assign youngsters violent crimes to commit.
“We will continue to work in different tracks. It is about continuing to stop the young perpetrators who carry out the crimes on assignment – and we are well ahead in that and arrest and stop young people basically every week. Now, the work continues to stop those who are enablers and instigators to an even greater extent and extensive work is underway here together at different levels,” Åkerwall added.
