After a series of serious incidents involving Swedish teenagers accused of attempted murder on Danish soil, Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard (Socialdemokratiet) has promised a robust effort to prevent a recurrence. The government aims to work intensively to ensure that violent, Swedish-inspired gang cultures do not gain a foothold in Denmark.
“We, as a government, along with the Danish police authorities, take this situation very seriously. It is alarming that we are now seeing teenagers from Sweden getting hired for criminal activities that are crossing the border into Denmark,” stated Peter Hummelgaard.
The Justice Minister emphasizes that Danish authorities, in close collaboration with their Swedish counterparts, have taken proactive measures in several cases, detaining suspects before they could carry out their criminal acts. “The cynicism and violence that characterize the Swedish gang environment is unacceptable, and we will do everything we can to prevent a similar development here at home,” the minister asserted.
Recently, the Folketing (Danish Parliament) passed an extensive gang package that not only increases penalties but also equips the police with additional tools to combat gang-related crime. However, according to Hummelgaard, further measures are needed, and he plans a swift response in conjunction with the Chief of Police and the National Unit for Special Crime (National Enhed for Særlig Kriminalitet, NSK).
“We will not ignore the recent developments. I will not accept that Swedish conditions spread to Denmark. Therefore, our collaboration with the Swedish police will be intensified, including the permanent posting of a Danish officer with the Swedish police to ensure more effective intelligence gathering,” he explained.
In the past week, there have been several incidents involving Swedish teenagers charged with attempted murder in Denmark. On Monday, a 17-year-old was involved in a shooting incident on Falkoner Allé in Copenhagen, where an 18-year-old was injured but is now out of danger. Additionally, a 16-year-old Swedish boy was remanded in custody for attempted murder following a shooting incident in Nørrebro, and a 17-year-old was imprisoned for a similar offense in Kolding.