Published: Just now
Denmark is now presenting new measures to tackle gang crime.
With a fourth so-called “gang package” (action package against gang crime), the country hopes to prevent young people from joining gangs.
Among other things, the government in Copenhagen wants to introduce a travel ban, so that a person who previously, for example, smuggled narcotics from Morocco to Denmark via Spain is no longer allowed to travel to Spain in particular. In addition, a number of new penalty increases are presented.
– There is a general need to toughen the punishment when it comes to the crime that endangers people. Denmark is in need of a penal reform, says Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen (S) at a press conference.
Denmark has previously clubbed three similar gang packages, one in 2009, one in 2014 and one in 2017. Among other things, the laws include the possibility of imposing double the length of the sentence if a crime can be linked to a gang conflict, increased opportunities to deport criminals and targeted toughening of penalties for shootings in public places. Gang criminals can also be banned from staying for several years in the area in which they are active, and sentenced to prison for up to two years if they break the ban.
The number of gang criminals in Denmark is relatively low in relation to Sweden and other comparable countries.