Denmark Enhances Border Security with Sweden

Denmark has intensified its security measures along the border with Sweden in response to an increase in gun violence linked to criminal gangs that recruit minors.

Danish Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard announced new protocols on Friday, which include heightened inspections on trains crossing the Øresund Bridge and increased surveillance of vehicle traffic at border crossings.

The decision comes after a surge in gun violence in Denmark, which authorities attribute to Swedish gangs using minors for criminal activities.

Since April, there have been 25 reported incidents where gangs employed minors, referred to as "child soldiers," to commit crimes.

Recent weeks have seen three shooting incidents in Denmark connected to Swedish teenagers.

Sweden has experienced a dramatic rise in gang violence over the past decade, shifting from one of the lowest rates of fatal shootings in Europe to one of the highest.

Swedish police report that powerful criminal gangs often use children for violent crimes due to the reduced legal consequences for minors.

Drug gangs, led by second-generation immigrants living abroad, have infiltrated various parts of Sweden’s social, legal, and political systems, complicating efforts to combat their influence. Addressing this issue is expected to be a long-term challenge.

Denmark’s stricter approach to immigration and gang-related crime contrasts with Sweden's policies.

This has led some right-wing politicians in Stockholm, including government members, to consider adopting similar measures. Denmark’s strategy includes forcibly deporting non-Danish individuals from areas where they form majorities and increasing penalties for criminal offenses.

The Danish Ministry of Justice has announced plans to enhance intelligence cooperation with Sweden by assigning a permanent officer to the Stockholm police and boosting the exchange of officers with law enforcement in southern Sweden.

Additionally, the ministry is exploring the use of facial recognition technology for serious crimes, such as attempted murder. Hummelgaard highlighted that Denmark is significantly ramping up efforts to control the situation along the border with Sweden