Fatal shootings prompt Swedish PM to address escalating gang violence
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E-mail Xinhua, August 31, 2019
STOCKHOLM, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Reacting to the shocking cases of violent crime this week in Sweden, Prime Minister Stefan Lofven addressed the country's escalating violence problem in an interview with Swedish television SVT, broadcast on Friday.
"It is clear that shootings and bomb attacks are one of our really big societal problems. One is struck by the indifference to human life and a ruthlessness that is utterly awful. We are determined to push back and stop these gangs. Sweden should be safe," Lofven said.
"We are in a situation where gangs are a major problem in society," he admitted.
Over the last week, two women were fatally shot in Sweden -- an 18-year-old in Stockholm and a 31-year-old in Malmo. The latter was shot while holding an infant in her arms.
These deaths, which prompted Lofven to speak out, are only the latest evidence of the escalation of violent crime in Sweden.
Between January and July 2019, 182 shootings and 120 bomb attacks occurred, killing a total of 25 people. Since the start of August, three more people have died as a result of gun violence, SVT quoted Swedish police as saying.
In Lofven's view, rising gang criminality is being fueled by ineffective integration, people out of school and work, and black market drug sales that line the pockets of gangs.
"If people do not work, it is detrimental both to that person and to society. Jobs, jobs, jobs: old-fashioned decent work ethic. One should go to work and should do one's part in society. And it's the same with schools," Lofven told SVT.
"How do we ensure that young boys do not choose the criminal path? First, they should see their parents go to work. There are too few people in these areas who work. And they should choose the school before the gang," Lofven said.
"Anyone thinking about using party drugs tonight should know that they are funding these gangs. Or if you buy a product so cheap that you suspect something must be wrong -- don't do it, it benefits these criminal gangs," Lofven said. Enditem
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