Tillbaka

Nyheter | 2025 april 23

Police Visit to the School on Gang Crime in the Järva Area

Yesterday, the police visited our school to inform students and staff about the current situation regarding gang-related crime in the Järva area. Below is a summary for guardians who were unable to attend:

• Recruitment of young people often takes place in locations where many youths gather, such as Kista Galleria and Mall of Scandinavia. Social media platforms like Snapchat and TikTok, as well as online games like Roblox, are also used to lure children into criminal circles.
  
  

• Children as young as 12 years old are being recruited by criminal networks to carry out tasks such as transporting weapons, drugs, or participating in bombings. Recruiting minors is a serious crime and can lead to a prison sentence of up to four years for the recruiter.
  
  

• The police have the right to check young people's IDs and search for drugs if they suspect contact with criminal individuals. This is part of their work to map and prevent crime. If a child reports being stopped by the police, it may be because they have been seen in the company of known criminals.
  
  

• Gang-related crime in the Järva area has decreased, including violent crimes and open drug sales, which are down by 7.3%. However, criminal networks are relocating to other areas or countries, meaning the issue has not disappeared but moved.
  
  

• Drug trafficking remains active. Youths are exploited to move and hide packages—sometimes without knowing the contents. They are also given assignments to deliver letters or packages.
  
  

• If a child is stopped by the police and drugs, weapons, or money are confiscated, the child may become indebted to gangs and be forced to commit further crimes.
  
  

• Open drug sales still occur in places like Tensta Centrum, Rinkeby Torg, Kista, and Husby. During the winter, these often take place indoors, such as in Kista Galleria’s parking garage. In the summer, sales shift to nearby parks and green areas.
  
  

• A new method used by criminals involves thermos bombs and flammable liquids. These may be hidden in schools, preschools, and public spaces. Children are sometimes asked to make or transport these dangerous items. Police have intensified their search efforts to locate these weapons before they are used.
  
  

• A thermos bomb was found earlier this year at Mall of Scandinavia. It has not yet been confirmed whether the suspect is linked to a criminal network.
  
  

• Girls are increasingly being recruited, often to package drugs, transport weapons, and participate in crime planning. Police have encountered girls involved as young as 12 years old.
  
  

• Poor school performance, high absenteeism, expensive designer clothes, and multiple phones can be warning signs that a child is at risk of recruitment or involvement in a criminal network.
  
  

• The risk of recruitment increases during school holidays, as the protective structure of school disappears.
  
  

• Police work closely with schools, social services, and community organizations to prevent criminal involvement. They report improved relationships with youth, which is encouraging.
  
  

• As a guardian, stay alert for warning signs such as truancy, being in unusual locations, excessive phone use, or unknown friends. Don't hesitate to ask questions, check their phones, search their rooms, and show them that you care.
  
  

• If you are concerned about your child, you can contact social services through a “SoL 14 notification.” This is not about taking children away from their families, but about offering help, support, and protection. Link to the Social Services SoL 14 report
  
  

Important Contact Numbers:

• Social Services: 08-508 25 800 (Mon–Fri 08.00–16.30)
  
  

• Emergency Social Services (after hours): 08-508 40 000
  
  

• Police (non-emergency tips or questions): 114 14
  
  

• Emergency ongoing crimes or urgent situations: 112
  
  

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact these services — or reach out to school staff.