Children in gang networks — under-18 suspects have tripled

In 2015, ≈ 410 children under 18 were suspected of serious violence or firearms crimes. In 2024 the figure is ≈ 1,380. The rest of the Nordics don't show this trend.

Memory

In nine years the number of underage suspects has tripled. Norway's figure has doubled — from 12 to 25.

2015

410

Brå/Police

2024

1,380

Brå/Police

The data clash

Utopia vs Reality

How to read this

“The data clash” is the gap between the utopia — the image of Sweden as one of the world's best, safest and most equal countries — and the reality in the statistics. The charts below show what the numbers actually say, not what we wish they said.

Misstänkta under 18 år för grovt våld eller skjutvapenbrott, Sverige 2015–2024 (Brå/Polisen)

Brå/Polisen sammanställning

201520202024

Human consequence

Persona

A social worker in a mid-sized municipality.

Then

Cases involving 14–15-year-olds were about shoplifting, truancy, glue-sniffing.
Murder suspicions against minors made national news — years apart.
Family support was usually enough.

Now

Cases involve 13-year-olds recruited as hitmen via Telegram/TikTok.
Murder suspicions against under-18s: 73 individuals in 2024.
Compulsory care orders are the standard tool — often insufficient.

The Nordics — same metric

Misstänkta < 18 år för grovt våld/skjutvapenbrott — Norden (absoluta tal)

Method & uncertainty

Definitions

— ”Misstänkt” = registrerad som skäligen misstänkt enligt RB. Lägre beviströskel än åtal eller dom.

Uncertainties

— Mörkertalet bland barn under 15 år är stort — de särredovisas inte i alla Brå-tabeller.

Sources

2035

What does it mean for a society when hundreds of 13-year-olds can be recruited as killers?

Linear extrapolation of 2018–2024: ≈ 2,200 under-18 suspects by 2030.

Read the full investigation of how Sweden has changed.

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