Concerns Rise as Gangs Recruit Children in Swedish Schools

Authorities have raised alarms for several years regarding the infiltration of organized crime into educational institutions in Sweden, and recent evidence suggests that the situation is worsening. Increasing numbers of minors are reportedly being exploited by criminal networks to commit serious offenses.

As reported by Uppdrag granskning, children as young as 14 and 15 are being used to carry out violent acts, including gang-related murders, highlighting the extent to which these criminal elements have permeated school environments.

Interviews with school staff, students, and known gang members reveal a troubling reality: some Swedish schools have become recruitment grounds for gangs and venues for drug trafficking. A source from one school indicated that students are often directed to choose specific high schools to represent criminal factions.

"In my experience, students are instructed from higher up to maintain control over certain areas, including specific schools," the source explained. "They need a constant influx of new individuals to sustain their influence." When pressed for clarification, the source elaborated that this involves taking over drug sales within the school or its vicinity.

One young gang member, referred to as "Hassan" in the report, shared his experiences of recruiting peers for violent activities, including bombings. He disclosed that he frequently carried a loaded firearm within school premises without facing intervention from teachers, despite being known as a member of a criminal organization.

In a notable incident in September 2024, a 14-year-old boy was critically injured after being shot in the face by a 15-year-old classmate in a bathroom at Trångsund School, located south of Stockholm. During the trial, the older student admitted to keeping the firearm in his locker.

Responding to inquiries from the media, Trångsund School's principal, Kaj Majuri, acknowledged the challenges faced by school staff in detecting concealed weapons. "We could have checked his locker if we had known there was something to investigate. However, if he had hidden the weapon in a bag, we wouldn't have been able to search it due to existing legislation," Majuri stated.

The growing trend of gang recruitment in schools has prompted local law enforcement and educational authorities to reconsider their strategies for addressing the issue. As the involvement of minors in serious crime continues to escalate, the need for comprehensive measures to protect students and restore safety within educational environments has never been more urgent.