Alarming Surge in Children Under 15 Involved in Explosives Crimes in Sweden

Swedish authorities have reported a sharp and troubling increase in children under 15 suspected of involvement in explosives-related crimes, signaling a growing challenge for law enforcement and society. As of November 2023, police data reveals that 54 children under 15 were suspected of committing acts of dangerous destruction related to explosives — a marked rise from 21 in 2024 and 17 in 2023, with only one child per year from 2018 to 2022.

Mikaela Kym, a police group leader from Norrköping, highlighted that criminal organizations have ready access to explosives and are actively recruiting young individuals. The recruitment methods include intimidation tactics like fabricated debts, coercion by older gang members, and voluntary involvement driven by social media influence.

The alarming trend corresponds with an increase in explosive incidents nationwide. Police report 181 detonations in Sweden in 2023, surpassing the 136 detonations in 2024. Additionally, there were 261 documented attempts or preparations for bombing attacks in 2023, compared to 188 in 2024. This surge in explosives-related activities by youths could potentially triple the number of young suspects by 2024 if current trends persist.

This uptick in youth involvement and explosive-related criminality stresses the need for intensified preventive efforts and targeted interventions by Swedish authorities to disrupt recruitment pipelines and curb access to explosives. The situation also amplifies concerns about public safety and the escalating complexity of gang-related crime involving minors.

With a rise in incidents and young suspects, police and policymakers face mounting pressure to respond effectively to this dangerous evolution in criminal patterns, in hopes of protecting vulnerable children and communities from further harm.