In his speech at the People and Defense National Conference, the Minister of Justice emphasizes the serious security situation in which Sweden finds itself.
– We see growing extremism, an increased threat of attacks and a wider constitutional threat, says Gunnar Strömmer (M).
The threats also reinforce each other when the actors’ agendas coincide, he emphasizes.
At the same time, the head of the security police has made a new decision about the terrorist threat level in Sweden. The level remains at “high threat”, a four on the five-point scale.
– Sweden is still seen as a priority target among violent Islamists. The threat comes both from lone actors and from groups that can be controlled by actors abroad, says Säpochef Charlotte von Essen during the National People and Defense Conference on Sunday.
New strategy decided
On Thursday, the government decided on a new, slightly revised, strategy to combat terrorism and violent extremism. In the past, terrorism and violent extremism have had two separate strategies.
In the new strategy, the wording has been changed from “preventing, preventing and hindering” terrorism and violent extremism, to “preventing, preventing, protecting and managing”.
– We have added manage in the new strategy. It is to get better at handling an attack that has already taken place, says Strömmer.
More information about the new strategy will be presented together with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) on Monday.
Will introduce more “interventionist” social services law
Sweden is also “in the near future” to have its first national strategy against organized crime.
In addition, several new laws are being rolled out during the year which the government believes will have an effect on crime: such as stricter minimum sentences for weapons offences, stay bans and visitation zones.
– We also see a record number of arrests, seizures of weapons and explosives and violent crimes prevented. And significantly more shootings and explosions seem to be cleared up, says Strömmer.
He also promises a new, more intrusive social services law in 2024, and “big” financial investments in social services.