The peaceful Øresund Bridge, connecting Denmark and Sweden, has become an unexpected flashpoint in a growing cross-border crime wave.
Denmark has announced stricter border controls with its Nordic neighbor, responding to a surge in gang-related violence spilling over from Sweden.
A troubling trend
Danish Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard revealed a startling statistic: since April, Swedish individuals have been implicated in 25 cases linked to organized crime in Denmark.
Even more alarming is the involvement of minors in these incidents. Three Swedish teenagers were recently arrested in connection with shootings on Danish soil.
Thorkild Fogde, Denmark’s national police chief, warned that there would be a high price to pay, sending a clear message to Swedish gang members involved in the violence.
The Swedish connection
Sweden’s struggle with gang violence has reached unprecedented levels. The country now has the highest per-capita rate of fatal shootings in the European Union (EU).
Swedish police estimate there are about 14,000 active gang criminals, with an additional 48,000 people loosely affiliated with these groups.
“It’s a scary phenomenon that Danish gangs are hiring young Swedes to do their dirty work,” Swedish Minister of Justice Peter Hummelgaard stated.
He pointed to a concerning trend of “child soldiers” being recruited by criminal organizations to carry out violent acts.
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Tightening the net
Denmark’s response to this crisis is multi-faceted:
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Increased surveillance on the Øresund Bridge, the main crossing point between Copenhagen and Malmö.
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More rigorous checks on cross-border trains.
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Enhanced camera surveillance to monitor license plates at border crossings.
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Stationing a Danish police officer permanently with Stockholm law enforcement.
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Intensifying officer exchanges with southern Swedish police forces.
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Exploring the use of facial recognition technology for serious crimes like attempted murder.
A call for action
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen expressed her deep concern over the situation.
“The violent incidents on our streets must be stopped. It is completely unacceptable,” she stated. “This is not the Denmark that we want.”
The Danish government is putting pressure on Sweden to take responsibility and address the root causes of the violence within its borders. This diplomatic push adds another layer to the already complex situation.
(Image courtesy of Pipo Stolz via Pexels)
How this affects travelers
The heightened border controls will likely impact both short-term visitors and long-term residents traveling between Denmark and Sweden.
Travelers should expect longer wait times and more thorough checks, especially on the Øresund Bridge and cross-border trains.
For migrants and long-term visitors to the EU, this situation highlights the interconnected nature of European security policies.
While the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) is set to launch soon, focusing on external borders, this Danish-Swedish issue demonstrates that internal EU borders can also be subject to increased scrutiny when security concerns arise.
Changes to immigration policies
This crisis may lead to broader changes in EU countries’ immigration policies.
Denmark has already taken a tougher stance on immigration compared to Sweden, with measures including relocating non-Danish citizens from areas where they form a majority.
The current situation could prompt other EU nations to reassess their own policies, potentially leading to:
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Stricter vetting processes for immigrants and asylum seekers.
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Enhanced information sharing between EU member states about criminal networks.
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Increased focus on integration programs to prevent the alienation that can lead to gang recruitment.
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Debates about the balance between open borders within the Schengen Area and national security concerns.
What happens next
As Denmark and Sweden grapple with this cross-border challenge, the rest of Europe will be watching closely. The outcome of this situation could shape the future of border control and immigration policies across the European Union.