On Tuesday, Minister of Justice Gunnar Strömmer (M) held a press meeting together with Katja Nyberg (SD), spokesperson for police affairs, Camilla Brodin (KD), group leader and Martin Melin (L) to present new measures against serious organized crime.
– We have a very serious security situation where internal security is subjected to major tests of various kinds. Lately, of course, with a focus on a very serious wave of violence with shootings and explosions, says Gunnar Strömmer.
New camera offensive
A new reorganization of legal policy is underway and the government is now developing new national strategies.
– This government is putting its foot down now properly, says Martin Melin and continues:
– We have never heard of child soldiers in Sweden, now we are talking about eight-year-olds who commit crimes. We must not have children in preschool who are drawn into crime.
A new camera offensive must therefore be used as crime prevention and but also in investigations and work with crimes that have already been committed. It is both about legislative changes and about increased cooperation between the police and other authorities and actors.
– Right now there is an investigation that looks at the permit requirement for municipalities and regions. Also a broad mission to review the police’s ability to monitor cameras. But the reason we are standing here today is because this work must be accelerated, says Camilla Brodin.
Face recognition and direct access to road cameras
Changes to the law to improve the possibility of camera surveillance are now being rapidly investigated in the Government Office.
With the reform approach, they want, among other things, the police authority to be given direct access to external camera surveillance, for example from road cameras. Also an increased opportunity to use drones.
– In addition, the police must be able to use facial recognition to a greater extent to recognize gang members. It’s about using AI technology, says Katja Nyberg.
– New police cars have cameras that are able to read license plates, but there are legal uncertainties as to how that material can be used today and we are not getting the impact of existing technology. This is urgent to get a handle on, adds Gunnar Strömmer.
More surveillance cameras
The government also has a new target for the number of cameras and they want to have 2,500 cameras by the end of 2024. Which is a fivefold increase in the number of cameras since the change of government.
– A number of important measures and preparations are being made for changes in legislation. The step we are taking today is an expression of the fact that there must be great sensitivity in relation to the law enforcement officers, says Gunnar Strömmer.