In Sweden, the recruitment of children and young people into criminal gangs has reached alarming levels, prompting the police to initiate a national operation to tackle the issue. Over the past month, law enforcement has intensified its collaboration with municipalities, county administrative boards, and various stakeholders to address this growing concern. Frida Braf, leading the efforts in the Eastern Police Region, encompassing Östergötland, Jönköping, and Sörmland, emphasized the importance of creating better conditions for local authorities to work alongside the police in order to combat gang recruitment more effectively.

A significant aspect of this initiative is increasing police visibility in areas frequented by young people, particularly on digital platforms where much of the recruitment to serious crimes is taking place. As part of this strategy, police will work on creating a shared situational awareness with municipalities and regional authorities. By focusing on where young people gather online, the initiative aims to proactively intervene and reduce the recruitment of minors into violent criminal activities.

The operation, named "Operation Augere," is set to run from February 2, 2023, to July 31, 2026. The central goal is to decrease the number of children and youth being recruited into gangs and subsequently committing severe violent crimes. Braf highlighted the need for a comprehensive approach that not only targets the gangs but also engages the community to create a safer environment for young people.