In Sweden, youth crime is the most extensive in the Nordic region. This is shown by a new study which compared the so-called street gangs of the Nordic countries; a grouping that is often linked to a specific geographic location and engages in crime together.
The study was carried out in collaboration between several Nordic researchers under the leadership of criminologist Markus Kaakinen at the University of Helsinki.
It mainly concerns violent crimes and drug crimes, but not connected to any organized crime or heavier criminal networks. In Stockholm, it is estimated that 16 percent of young people belong to or have close association with this type of gang.
Large increase in young offenders
The corresponding figure in Helsinki is ten percent. In recent years, the police in Finland have seen a sharp increase in youth crime. The number of young people under the age of 15 who are suspected of crimes such as assault and robbery has tripled since 2015, figures from the police show.
In Finland, the police, schools and civil society are working to prevent youth crime from developing into the serious organized crime that has emerged in Sweden, and is now also beginning to spread across the country’s borders.
“Not a single murder”
The police in Helsinki have started a special group to focus on street gangs. But more efforts are required to stop the development.
– The investment must take place in school and through childcare. Going to school is the most important thing to be able to build a life and a career, says police officer Marko Forss.
He thinks that Finland’s problem with juvenile delinquency is still at significantly milder levels than in Sweden.
– We have had serious violent crimes in the street gangs, but so far there has not been a single murder linked to the street gangs, says Marko Forss.
See Insight: Finland’s tactics against youth crime in SVT Play.