Sweden’s police chief says escalation in gang violence is ‘extremely serious’

Sweden’s national police chief said Tuesday that an escalation in gang violence this year – with almost daily shootings and bombings that have claimed dozens of lives, including teenagers and innocent bystanders – is “extremely serious.”
Sweden has grappled with gang violence for years but the latest surge has been exceptional, Anders Thornberg said at a news conference, calling it “the most violence we have ever had in the country.” He added that police have “prevented about 80 imminent murders or explosions” since the start of the year.
Twelve people died and five others were injured in attacks last month that Thornberg described as “terrorist-like violence.” The attacks are linked to criminal gangs that often recruit teenagers from socially disadvantaged immigrant neighborhoods to carry out hits.