For the first time, the Danish National Police (Rigspolitiet) has compiled a nationwide registry of criminal families, identifying 35 extended families involved in organized or habitual crime. This controversial mapping was conducted following repeated requests by the Legal Affairs Committee of the Folketinget (Danish Parliament).
The findings, first reported by Berlingske, shed light on what authorities now refer to as “multigenerational criminal clans”—extended families in which a significant proportion of members are involved in crime, often across at least two generations.
Organized crime ties span hundreds of individuals
According to the police report, these families comprise hundreds of individuals, many of whom have established connections to organized criminal networks. The registry defines a “criminal family” as one where a large share of relatives are repeat offenders or linked to systematic illegal activity.
“These families represent a serious and lasting challenge to Danish authorities,” the police assessment reads. Law enforcement officials emphasized that criminality in these clans is not incidental, but rather embedded in their social structures and intergenerational behavior.
Political debate on classification as gangs
The revelation has sparked political debate in Copenhagen. Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard (Socialdemokratiet) expressed openness to further legal scrutiny, stating that the government is considering whether these families should be legally equated to criminal gangs.
“If we find that these families operate with the same intensity and structure as gangs, it is natural to treat them accordingly,” Hummelgaard said. The Minister’s remarks suggest potential policy shifts that could expand current anti-gang legislation to cover these family-based networks.
A sensitive topic with societal implications
The publication of the registry touches on sensitive social dynamics in Denmark. While the police did not disclose the ethnic or national backgrounds of the families involved, past public debates around so-called “ghetto laws” and clan-related crime in other European countries—such as Sweden and Germany—have raised concerns about stigmatization and discrimination.
Legal experts and social scientists warn that labeling entire families as criminal may pose ethical and legal challenges, particularly regarding individual responsibility and the potential profiling of children and relatives with no criminal record.
Looking ahead: legislation and law enforcement
As the Justice Ministry reviews the findings, Danish lawmakers may soon face proposals to expand surveillance, impose restrictions, or design targeted interventions against such families. However, the debate remains polarized.
While some argue that stronger measures are necessary to break cycles of criminality, others caution against collective punishment and urge for social support initiatives instead.
The full report from Rigspolitiet has not yet been made public, but the political and legal ripples are already being felt across Denmark.
