The Helsinki police announced on Monday that they suspect two 15-year-old youths of attempting to commit a murder for hire, a concerning development in the context of youth crime in Finland. This incident marks the first known case where minors have been recruited for such serious offenses. The police have pointed to links between this and organized crime, particularly a December arson case in Vantaa associated with Swedish criminal networks and the North Helsinki street gang.

Additionally, another incident of arson that occurred last weekend in Lauttasaari is also under investigation for potential involvement of young perpetrators in contract work, although the authorities have not established a direct connection between these crimes. The police are highlighting the emergence of a troubling phenomenon known as 'crime as a service,' which has recently made its way into Finnish criminal activity, reflecting a broader trend seen in countries like Sweden, Denmark, and Norway.

'Crime as a service' essentially involves criminal acts being outsourced to third parties for a fee. This practice is becoming increasingly recognized in Finland, indicating a shift in the nature of youth crime, where young people are not only committing crimes themselves but are also being engaged as subcontractors in serious offenses. This development raises concerns about the surrounding influences on youth and the potential for rising levels of organized crime within the country.