In a bold—and controversial—move to get a grip on the country’s spiraling gang violence, Sweden’s government is now pushing for police to be granted the power to secretly wiretap children under 15, without a warrant. The proposal, unveiled Wednesday, marks a dramatic shift in how authorities aim to tackle organized crime, particularly when minors are used as foot soldiers.
Until now, Swedish law has protected minors from such intrusive surveillance. But with gangs increasingly exploiting children to carry out violent crimes, officials say drastic times call for drastic measures. Minister of Justice Gunnar Strömmer didn’t mince words, calling the proposal “far-reaching,” but necessary. “This isn’t just about stopping a crime in motion—it’s about tracing the command structure, often hidden behind a child’s phone screen,” he said at a press briefing.
While a government-appointed investigator had recommended limiting warrantless surveillance to Sweden’s national security agency, Säpo, both the ruling coalition and their allies in the Sweden Democrats are insisting regular police also need these powers—especially in cases involving murder, large-scale destruction, or serious weapons offenses tied to gang warfare.
The backdrop? A surge in gang-related violence that’s increasingly being executed by young teens—some barely into puberty—who face minimal legal consequences if caught. Many of these youth, often linked to immigrant communities, are being recruited by hardened criminals to carry out hits, transport weapons, or commit arson, knowing full well the law offers them a soft landing.
Swedish officials say the issue isn’t staying within their borders. In recent months, minors from Sweden have been tied to violent crimes in Norway and Denmark as gang networks spread regionally.
The urgency behind the proposal was underscored by a grim case out of Uppsala, where a 16-year-old is currently behind bars, suspected of executing three people at a local barbershop in what investigators believe is another gang-linked hit.
Critics have already raised red flags over the erosion of privacy, especially when it comes to children. But the government insists the balance must tilt toward public safety—for now. Whether this proposal will survive legal and political scrutiny remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Sweden’s war on gangs is taking a sharp new turn.
