The Social Democrats have criticized Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer for downplaying the recent surge in gang violence, despite a decrease in shootings. They demand action and accountability from the government, highlighting the increase in bombings and calling for stronger measures against gang crime.
Social Democrats Criticize Justice Minister Strömmer Over Gang Violence Response
Social Democrats Criticize Justice Minister Strömmer Over Gang Violence Response
Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer (M) does not believe there is a wave of violence, citing a decrease in shootings and fatalities. However, Teresa Carvalho, the Social Democrats' spokesperson on justice policy, is critical.
On Tuesday, the Social Democrats held a press conference addressing what they describe as the "summer's wave of violence."
The Social Democrats want Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer (M) and National Police Chief Petra Lundh to present to the parliamentary justice committee on measures to reverse the trend.
This initiative follows a series of serious violent incidents recently, including the double murder in Järfälla, the deadly explosion in Östberga, Stockholm, and the fatal shooting at a mosque in Örebro.
Strömmer: No Wave of Violence
Gunnar Strömmer, however, does not share the Social Democrats' description of the problem, as he told SVT.
"We have experienced several serious acts of violence in recent days. But looking at the summer as a whole, it's hard to describe it as a wave of violence. For example, compared to the summer of 2022, the last under Social Democratic rule, we have had half as many shootings, and deadly violence has also more than halved since then," Strömmer said in a report.
SVT News compiled figures on gang violence from June 1 to August 26 this year and compared them with previous years.
The number of shootings this summer is 33, compared to 87 last summer and over 100 per year in the previous four summers.
The number of fatalities is seven this summer. There were 15 fatalities last summer, 16 in 2023, 15 in 2022, 15 in 2021, and ten in 2020, according to SVT's compilation. However, bombings have increased – 50 this summer, compared to 24 last year and 38 in 2023.
Carvalho: Increase the Pace
Teresa Carvalho, the Social Democrats' spokesperson on justice policy, believes the justice minister is too complacent:
"Shootings continue at high levels, bombings have more than doubled, and there has been such a violent incident almost once a day throughout the summer. Surely he can't be satisfied with that?"
Carvalho now wants the government to support the Social Democrats' proposals against gang crime.
"The government must increase the pace. They have evidently failed to get a handle on gang crime, which was actually their most important promise to the Swedish people in the last election. It's not enough to keep saying no to a Swedish mafia law to target gang leaders and point-marking to break new recruitment."
Doesn't Strömmer have a point that it's misleading to talk about a wave of violence when there are so few deaths compared to a few years ago?
"He can keep nitpicking. I can only state that it has been a violent summer, with a shooting or bombing occurring once a day. Even if shootings have decreased, bombings have more than doubled."