Sweden has been plagued by gangland shootings and killings, with the violence now spreading into Denmark. AP
Sweden has been plagued by gangland shootings and killings, with the violence now spreading into Denmark. AP
Sweden has been plagued by gangland shootings and killings, with the violence now spreading into Denmark. AP
Sweden has been plagued by gangland shootings and killings, with the violence now spreading into Denmark. AP

Sweden and Denmark pledge joint gang crime crackdown


Tim Stickings
  • English
  • Arabic

Nordic justice ministers vowed on Wednesday to tackle a surge in gangland crime spreading from Sweden into Denmark.

The two countries plan to track down criminal masterminds believed to be pulling the strings of underworld violence from abroad.

They also want to “hold accountable” the social media channels on which it is suspected young people are recruited into violence.

Sweden has been plagued by gang violence in cities such as Stockholm and Malmo for several years, with 348 shootings, resulting in 52 deaths, reported last year. Denmark says the disorder has spilt into “several violent episodes” involving Swedish citizens on its territory.

Denmark has discovered 25 cases of gangs hiring criminals from across the border in Sweden, according to Danish Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard, who refers to young recruits as “child soldiers”.

Denmark's Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard, right, says there have been more than two dozen cases of gangs recruiting from across the border in Sweden. AFP
Denmark's Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard, right, says there have been more than two dozen cases of gangs recruiting from across the border in Sweden. AFP

Sweden and Denmark said on Wednesday they plan to speak to third countries, which they did not identify, about going after the “leadership layer” of the gangs.

In May, a counter-intelligence service accused Iran of recruiting Swedish criminal gangs, known as Foxtrot and Rumba, to do their bidding.

Hunt for gang bosses

Gang leaders “sit at convenient addresses and often under sunny conditions, and order the serious crimes”, said Swedish Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer.

Mr Hummelgaard added: “Our message is clear: you should not be able to hide. And we will use all the tools we can think of to crack down on your crime. The gangs' readiness for violence knows no bounds. Therefore our response must be strong and co-ordinated.”

Ministers also want to speak to the bosses of social media sites to judge whether they are doing enough to prevent crime, Mr Strommer said.

“If they don't answer satisfactorily, we will have to decide whether we have to do something,” he said.

Denmark has already tightened border checks and sent an officer to work with Swedish police in Stockholm in a crackdown on the violence.

It is investigating whether to use facial recognition technology to find culprits in particularly serious cases such as attempted gangland killings.

Sweden has an estimated 14,000 active gang criminals and an additional 48,000 people loosely affiliated with gangs, a police report said last year.

Mr Hummelgaard last week said Nordic countries were “feeling the consequences of long-standing failed immigration and legal policies in Sweden”.

A Swedish government backed by the far-right Sweden Democrats is meanwhile looking at ways to reduce net migration.

It was advised in a report last week that a scheme to pay immigrants to leave the country could be widened to include foreign-born Swedish citizens.

Meydan card

6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 (PA) Group 1 US$65,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm: Conditions (TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,400m
7.40pm: UAE 2000 Guineas Trial (TB) $100,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 1,200m
8.50pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 (TB) Group 2 $350,000 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,900m
10pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m

Meydan race card

6.30pm: Maiden Dh 165,000 1,600m
7.05pm: Handicap Dh 185,000 2,000m
7.40pm: Maiden Dh 165,000 1,600m
8.15pm: Handicap Dh 190,000 1,400m
8.50pm: Handicap Dh 175,000 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap Dh 175,000 1,200m
10pm: Handicap Dh 165,000 1,600m

While you're here

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Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes

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Torque: 340Nm

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The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

MATCH INFO

Southampton 0
Manchester City 1
(Sterling 16')

Man of the match: Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City)

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League, last 16, first leg

Liverpool v Bayern Munich, midnight (Wednesday), BeIN Sports

The team

Photographer: Mateusz Stefanowski at Art Factory 
Videographer: Jear Valasquez 
Fashion director: Sarah Maisey
Make-up: Gulum Erzincan at Art Factory 
Model: Randa at Art Factory Videographer’s assistant: Zanong Magat 
Photographer’s assistant: Sophia Shlykova 
With thanks to Jubail Mangrove Park, Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi 

 
The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

How to report a beggar

Abu Dhabi – Call 999 or 8002626 (Aman Service)

Dubai – Call 800243

Sharjah – Call 065632222

Ras Al Khaimah - Call 072053372

Ajman – Call 067401616

Umm Al Quwain – Call 999

Fujairah - Call 092051100 or 092224411

How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
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  2. Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
  3. Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
  4. Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
  5. Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
  6. The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
  7. Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269

*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year

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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

Brief scores:

Toss: South Africa, chose to field

Pakistan: 177 & 294

South Africa: 431 & 43-1

Man of the Match: Faf du Plessis (South Africa)

Series: South Africa lead three-match series 2-0

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Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

 

Race card

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m
6pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 Listed (PA) Dh230,000 (T) 1,600m
6.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m
7pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (T) 2,400m

The specs: Fenyr SuperSport

Price, base: Dh5.1 million

Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six

Transmission: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 800hp @ 7,100pm

Torque: 980Nm @ 4,000rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 13.5L / 100km

Updated: August 21, 2024, 5:03 PM`