The concept of “Swedish conditions” has been present in public discussion in the Nordic countries for several years. This is synonymous with a situation in which gangs, most often composed of young men, commit brutal crimes, trade drugs, use firearms and explosives, and at the same time, even intensive police actions do not lead to a decrease in crime.
According to Nettavisen, as a result of the close integration of the countries in the north Europeclose social and economic ties, uniformed officers with Finland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark i Icelandbelieve that it is time to talk about “Nordic conditions”.
Denmark. Increase in crime in Copenhagen
According to the newspaper, police representatives from five countries point out that strong and versatile gangs from Sweden are starting to develop in neighboring countries. Copenhagen is seeing an increase in their activity, coupled with recruiting members among Danish youth. At the same time, criminal groups from Denmark even use minors from Sweden to carry out contract murders. They recruit them via social media, offering a salary of at least 200,000 Danish kroner.
Authorities in Helsinki also see the growing role of Swedish gangs. In 2024, the Finnish police managed to seize record amounts of amphetamine smuggled from the other side of the Baltic Sea. Attempts to import weapons and explosives into Finland were also prevented on a scale never before recorded.
Norway. Alarming police data
Police officers from Norway raise the alarm about the highest level in seven years crime among minors. In Oslo alone, the number of crimes committed by perpetrators under 17 years of age doubled during this time. Swedish gangs in Norway deal in drugs, kidnapping, extortion and fraud.
Iceland recorded the highest number of murders. In this small country, eight people have lost their lives in this way since the beginning of the year. Margret Valdimarsdotti, criminologist from the University of Iceland, does not hide his concern. – I don't remember so many people being killed in our country in one year – he says in an interview with RUV television.
According to Nordic investigators to overcome a disturbing trend There is a need for even closer cooperation between national police forces, increased spending and an increase in the number of officers. However, they point out that declarations of cooperation, e.g. between Denmark and Sweden, have not been implemented so far.