“Can provide very big benefits”

On Sunday, a new law comes into force that gives the police permission to listen to people without concrete criminal suspicion.
Something that can help in the fight against the wave of violence, according to criminologist Manne Gerell.
– That type of eavesdropping can provide very great advantages. You can get to the right people and stop murder.

The wave of violence with bombings and shootings continues. This week three people were killed within twelve hours. A remarkable figure.

On Sunday, the wiretapping law will be extended. Today, the police can conduct wiretapping against someone who is reasonably suspected if it is too important for the investigation. As of Sunday, the police can intercept people without concrete suspicion.

– I think it’s good. We have seen from these encrypted chats, for example Encrochat, that this type of eavesdropping can provide very great advantages. You can get to the right people and stop murder. I think we will see some of that. A big advantage is that the police can focus on people they think they have the right to remove.

Legal expert Johanna Björkman believes that the police are satisfied with the law that comes into force.

– Secret wiretapping has been the ultimate dream for the police.

The law was very controversial before it was hammered through.

– Many referral bodies were against it. Everything from courts to the bar association. After all, it is about going into personal integrity. We’ll see what effect it has. It will never be able to replace catching someone red-handed, says Björkman.

The importance of drugs

Something that has been extensively debated during the wave of violence is the importance of drugs to the gangs. Criminologist Gerell believes that it would be markedly felt for the communities if the Swedes stopped taking drugs.

– Then the gangs would lose an important source of income. Some gangs in particular are very dependent on the drug trade.

But above all, he believes that it could help stop recruitment.

– Something that should not be underestimated is that the gangs would lose simple jobs. They would lose the opportunity to give a 14-year-old something to do that they can earn money and then be connected to the gang.

He continues:

– I think it would make for significantly weaker gangs. Both financially, but also that they find it more difficult to recruit.

On the other hand, Gerell does not believe in being tougher on the users.

– We have tried that for many years in Sweden. It does not appear to have led to a major reduction in use.