Financial Crime Types on the Rise in Sweden: Report Highlights Concerns Over Gang Violence and Sexual Offences

Sweden’s financial landscape has been rocked by a surge in reported crimes over the past decade, with gang violence and sexual offences taking center stage. According to statistics released by the Swedish national council for crime prevention, the number of reported crimes increased slightly from 2015 to 2020, despite a slight decline in recent years.

Gang Violence: A Growing Concern

Gang violence has become a major concern in Sweden’s largest cities, including Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö. The country’s homicide rate stands around the European average, but higher than its Nordic neighbors. Interestingly, Sweden’s unique approach to counting homicides means that even accidental or suicidal deaths are registered as such, potentially inflating the numbers.

Sexual Offences: A Rising Concern

While most types of crime have seen a decline since 2020, drug-related crimes and sexual offences continue to rise. The number of reported drug-related crimes fell by over 10,000 between 2020 and 2022, while theft crimes remain the most common type of offense. However, sexual offences increased until 2021, with the country’s widened definition of rape introduced in 2018 potentially contributing to the rise.

Demographics: Men Dominate the Criminal Justice System

Men dominate the criminal justice system in Sweden, making up over 9,500 of the nearly 10,300 people sentenced to prison in 2022. Additionally, men are disproportionately represented among crime victims, except for cases of harassment and sexual abuse. Women, on the other hand, are more likely to know their perpetrators.

Concerns Over Financial Crime

The report highlights concerns over Sweden’s growing financial crime problem, with a focus on gang violence and sexual offences. As the country continues to grapple with these issues, experts warn that increased awareness and reporting may be contributing to the rising numbers, rather than an actual increase in criminal activity.

Key Takeaways:

• The number of reported crimes in Sweden has increased slightly from 2015 to 2020
• Gang violence is a growing concern in Sweden’s largest cities
• Sexual offences continue to rise, with the country’s widened definition of rape potentially contributing to the rise
• Men dominate the criminal justice system and are disproportionately represented among crime victims
• Experts warn that increased awareness and reporting may be contributing to the rising numbers rather than an actual increase in criminal activity