Denmark is significantly enhancing its border security with Sweden in response to a surge in gun violence linked to Swedish gang recruits, including minors, who are involved in criminal activities.
Danish Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard announced on Friday that the country is intensifying security measures on the Øresund Bridge, which connects Copenhagen with Malmö in Sweden, and increasing surveillance of road traffic at the border.
The heightened security comes after a series of incidents where Swedish teenagers, allegedly recruited by criminal gangs, were involved in shootings in Denmark.
Since April, there have been 25 reported incidents in which Danish gangs have used these “child soldiers” for criminal activities.
Recent weeks have seen a direct connection between three shooting incidents in Denmark and Swedish youths.
Sweden has experienced a significant increase in gang violence over the past decade, transitioning from one of the European countries with the lowest rates of deadly shootings to one of the highest.
Swedish authorities have reported that powerful gangs often employ children to carry out violent crimes, benefiting from lighter legal penalties for minors.
In response to the situation, Denmark is adopting a more stringent approach towards crime and immigration than Sweden. This includes deepening intelligence cooperation with Swedish authorities.
Denmark is also increasing the number of officers stationed in southern Sweden and considering the use of facial recognition technology for severe crimes.
This move reflects a broader regional effort to address the challenges posed by cross-border criminal activities and gang violence.
Denmark’s enhanced border security aims to prevent the recruitment of Swedish minors for gang-related tasks and ensure a more effective response to the rising threat of gang violence.
