Risk of more violent crimes during the summer – the police are stepping up

In recent weeks, there have been several high-profile shootings around the country.

It does not come as a surprise, says Erik Lindblad, national operations leader for Frigg, which is a national special event in which the police have prevented several serious crimes.

– We always fear an escalation during the summer months. Statistically, there is a seasonal variation where there are more serious violent crimes during the summer months, says Erik Lindblad.

Like many other industries, the police are also less staffed during the summer months, making an already high workload even higher.

Lowest figure for several years

At the same time, the number of people killed and injured in shootings has been lower than in several years during the first half of 2024.

According to police figures, 19 people were killed in shootings through June, and 22 were injured. This is the lowest figure since 2018.

It is difficult to say exactly what the decline is due to, but the explanation lies partly in the fact that the police have changed their way of working and that politicians have given them a number of new tools. National Police Chief Petra Lundh has previously highlighted the importance of intercepting gang criminals for preventive purposes.

– We prevent and prevent a lot of serious violent crimes that we know of, says Erik Lindblad, national operations leader for Frigg, which is a national special event in which the police have prevented several serious crimes.

Children on summer vacation worry clouds

At the same time, the police have a recurring headache every summer. It is about children on summer vacation who in certain contexts become easy prey for the criminal gangs to recruit.

According to Erik Lindblad, it is important that the parents are present and keep an eye on their children.

– As a parent, you have to lean into your child’s social life, partly in the physical world but above all in the digital world where much of the recruitment takes place.

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