Minister of Justice Gunnar Strömmer warns that actors move between gangs and extremist environments.
– It increases the extremists’ access to weapons, says Strömmer.
The government has now adopted a new national strategy against terrorism and violent extremism.
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.
He points out that individuals move in both the gang environment and the extremist environment. This makes it easier for extremists to get hold of weapons, warns Strömmer.
On Thursday, the government decided on a new unified national strategy against terrorism and violent extremism. Sweden has previously had two separate strategies against these phenomena.
The details will be presented tomorrow, but according to Strömmer, the watchwords are “prevent, prevent, protect and manage”.
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.