Sweden gang shooting deaths fall to 8 in first half

Sweden recorded eight deaths and 15 injuries in 39 shootings in the first half of this year, down from 34 deaths and 49 injuries in 205 shootings in the same period in 2022, according to police data.

Police also recorded 75 bombings from January to June this year, down from 108 in the same period last year.

Max Akerwall, police commissioner for Stockholm's southern district, said Sweden had reversed the trend after a wave of shootings and bombings in 2022 and 2023. He credited tougher gun-possession sentences, expanded police powers, surveillance tools, international cooperation and more information-sharing between authorities.

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson's right-wing government, in power since 2022, has promised to continue its crime crackdown if re-elected in Sunday's general election. The left-wing opposition also supports maintaining a hard line.

Police say major challenges remain. Akerwall said gang leaders are directing operations from abroad and recruiting children through encrypted apps to carry out attacks for money. Police data showed 170 children under 15 were suspected of involvement in violent crimes from January to July.

The government has introduced legislation requiring social media platforms to remove adverts for hitmen, ended more lenient sentences for young offenders and allowed police to use coercive measures against children to target those ordering crimes.

Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer said criminal networks have infiltrated public agencies, politics, businesses and the legal and prison systems, posing a systemic threat. Police say Sweden has more than 17,000 active gang criminals.