Gothenburg’s gang networks now count around 1,000 members, with recruitment of young people increasing fastest on Hisingen, according to police figures reported by Göteborgs-Posten. Authorities warn that early involvement in criminal activities can quickly escalate, binding minors to organised networks.
Hisingen sees sharp rise in gang-affiliated individuals
In the Hisingen police area, the number of people mapped under the police’s “cylinder model” has grown from 300 last year to 450 this year. This model categorises individuals from A-actors to D-actors based on their influence, visibility and criminal role.
A-actors are older, experienced criminals with strong organisational skills and low public exposure. B-actors are influential figures engaged in violent crime and maintaining pro-criminal norms. C-actors carry out operational tasks, often to prove their worth, and are typically younger and visible in the community. D-actors are minors lured or pressured into gangs, sometimes with previous criminal records.
Recruitment strategies targeting minors
Police describe a recruitment path that begins with low-risk assignments, such as joining a Signal chat to report police activity. Tasks can escalate to hiding weapons or narcotics. Initial rewards might be a pizza, later replaced by payments of several hundred kronor, deepening the young recruit’s ties to the group.
Long-term risks for Gothenburg’s communities
Officials caution that the rising number of D-actors reflects a growing pipeline feeding established gangs. Without effective prevention programmes and community outreach, these patterns risk entrenching criminal structures for years to come.
The police are combining enforcement with preventive measures to address the situation, particularly in Hisingen, where recruitment pressure is highest.
Youth gangs as a national challenge
Sweden has seen an increase in violent incidents linked to organised crime, with several high-profile shootings and bombings in recent years. While much of the attention has focused on Stockholm and Malmö, Gothenburg has emerged as a critical hotspot, especially for youth recruitment.
Experts point to a mix of socio-economic disadvantage, school dropouts, and lack of local engagement opportunities as factors that make certain districts more vulnerable.
National and Nordic policy responses
The Swedish government has introduced measures aimed at disrupting gang structures, including harsher penalties for gun crimes, expanded surveillance powers, and targeted social programmes for at-risk youth.
Similar strategies are seen in other Nordic countries, where prevention is combined with rehabilitation and education initiatives. Observers note that sharing best practices across the region could be key to curbing the long-term growth of youth gangs.
