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CRIME

Swedish police improve rape case processing rate, but violent crime slips

The number of cases processed by Sweden's police and sent to prosecutors increased in 2017 for the first time since 2010, with the rate improving considerably when it comes to rape cases.

Published: 10 January 2018 15:43 CET
Swedish police improve rape case processing rate, but violent crime slips
File photo of a Swedish police car. Photo: Johan Nilsson/TT

The total number of cases processed by police during 2017 increased by 3.1 percent compared to 2016, according to new figures released by the Swedish Police. The processing rate improved in seven out of ten crime categories, ranging from fraud to crimes against the person, damage infliction and traffic crimes.

This improvement was particularly marked in rape cases, of which 11 percent more were handed over to prosecutors. But at the same time, the number of rape cases filed with the police increased by 16 percent.

READ ALSO: Swedish government orders investigation into rise in reported rapes

When it comes to violent crime in general the trend was negative, with a 2.7 percent decrease in violent crimes processed.

“We have a major challenge. Murders in gang areas, rape, sex crimes against young people online and other serious and difficult to investigate crimes are increasing in our society. That required major resources and impacts the capacity of the police to tackle crime in the everyday lives of citizens. That's why we need strong efforts from several societal forces to hamper and prevent serious criminality,” Sweden's national police chief Dan Eliasson said in a statement.

Police in Sweden have complained about a lack of resources and dwindling staff numbers in recent years, with a difficult working environment and low salaries blamed by unions for officers leaving their jobs prematurely.

It is hoped that a new expansion of police training will lead to an increase of police officers by the end of 2018. In total 1,500 more police officers are being trained.

POLITICS

Over a thousand people join protest against Stockholm attack

Over a thousand people joined a demonstration in Gubbängen, southern Stockholm, on Saturday, protesting Wednesday's attack by far-right extremists on a lecture organised by the Left and Green parties.

Published: 27 April 2024 15:36 CEST
Over a thousand people join protest against Stockholm attack

The demonstration, which was organised by the Left Party and the Green Party together with Expo, an anti-extremist magazine, was held outside the Moment theatre, where masked assailants attacked a lecture organised by the two parties on Wednesday. 

In the attack, the assailants – described as Nazis by Expo – let off smoke grenades and assaulted several people, three of whom were hospitalised. 

“Let’s say it how it is: this was a terror attack and that is something we can never accept,” said Amanda Lind, who is expected to be voted in as the joint leader of the Green Party on Sunday. 

She said that those who had attended the lecture had hoped to swap ideas about how to combat racism. 

“Instead they had to experience smoke bombs, assault and were forced to think ‘have they got weapons’?. The goal of this attack was to use violence to generate fear and silence people,” she said.  

EXPLAINED: What we know about the attack on a Swedish anti-fascist meeting

More than a thousand people gathered to protest the attack on a theatre in Gubbängen, Stockholm. Photo: Oscar Olsson/TT

Nooshi Dadgostar, leader of the Left Party, said that that society needed to stand up against this type of extreme-right violence. 

“We’re here today to show that which should be obvious: we will not give up, we will stand up for ourselves, and we shall never be silenced by racist violence,” said said.

Sofia Zwahlen, one of the protesters at the demonstration, told the DN newspaper that it felt positive that so many had turned up to show their opposition to the attacks. 

“It feels extremely good that there’s been this reaction, that we are coming together. I’m always a little worried about going to this sort of demonstration. But this feels safe.”

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