Sweden plans to lower the age of criminal responsibility, citing gangs’ exploitation of children.

Sweden will lower the age of criminal responsibility from the current 15, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced on Tuesday, citing the growing involvement of children in organised crime.

The decision follows a sharp rise in the number of minors being recruited by criminal gangs through social media and used as hitmen. Official data show that in the first half of 2024, 93 children under 15 were suspected of murder, attempted murder, or aiding and abetting murder—three times the figure recorded in the same period last year.

“Children are being ruthlessly exploited by criminal networks to commit serious crimes,” Kristersson said in his annual policy address as parliament reopened after the summer recess. “Both to protect these children and their potential victims, the government is taking strong action against this type of cynical exploitation.”

A government-appointed investigator earlier this year recommended lowering the age of criminal responsibility to 14 in cases of particularly serious crimes. However, Kristersson did not specify whether his government would adopt that exact threshold.

Sweden has battled a decade-long wave of gang-related violence, with shootings and bomb attacks linked to organised crime becoming a persistent security challenge. While the role of young perpetrators has grown significantly since 2023, authorities note that overall gang-related shootings and murders declined in 2024 and are projected to fall further this year.

The move to tighten juvenile crime laws is part of the government’s broader push to curb gang activity and protect vulnerable youths from being drawn deeper into violent criminal networks.

Melissa Enoch.(Arise News)

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