{
  "id": 7014362,
  "title": "Fewer bullets, fewer bombs: How Sweden is turning the tide on gangland violence",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/fewer-bullets-fewer-bombs-how-sweden-is-turning-the-tide-on-gangland",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-12T23:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/world/2026/09/13/fewer-bullets-fewer-bombs-how-sweden-is-turning-the-tide-from-gangland-violence/234911"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "FARSTA, September 13 — Locals outside Stockholm's Farsta subway station expressed gratitude to Max Akerwall and his police team after a 2023 shooting that killed two innocent bystanders. For decades, Sweden has suffered from organized crime networks engaging in violent acts, including shootings and bombings, often in plain sight. However, recent years have seen a decline in gang violence. Police Commissioner Akerwall reported that in the first half of 2023, there were eight deaths and 15 injuries from 39 shootings, compared to 34 deaths and 49 injuries in the same period in 2022. Bombings have also dropped from 108 in the first half of 2022 to 75 in the first half of 2023. Akerwall attributes the improvement to measures implemented by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson's right-wing government since taking office in 2022. These include harsher sentences for gun possession, expanded police powers, new surveillance tools, and increased international cooperation. The security measures in the suburb of Ragsved, identified as a high-crime area, have also contributed to a sense of safety. Despite these efforts, challenges persist. Swedish police are concerned about young recruits being lured into criminal activities through social media and encrypted apps. Police are taking steps to combat this issue, including legislation to ban advertisements for hitmen on social media platforms and enabling coercive measures against children involved in violent crimes.",
  "summary": "FARSTA, Sept 13 — “Good job!” Outside Stockholm’s Farsta subway station where a 2023 shooting ki...",
  "key_points": [
    "Sweden's gang violence declined in 2023 with 8 deaths and 15 injuries from 39 shootings.",
    "Bombings dropped from 108 in 2022 to 75 in 2023.",
    "Police credit Prime Minister Kristersson's government measures for the improvement."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}