Inequality and Rising Criminality: Women in Sweden Join Gangs, Police Ignore Their Crimes

In Sweden, women are increasingly engaging in organized crime while the police often overlook their offenses. This phenomenon results from inequality between men and women, causing them to be "invisible" to law enforcement. Women exploit this situation, and their role in gangs becomes increasingly significant, something the police consistently fail to grasp. Despite Sweden presenting itself to the world as managing crime well, the reality shows that they fail to control the situation, maintaining a facade that does not reflect the truth. If the police investigated women's crimes with the same emphasis as those committed by men and immigrants, it would be possible to speak of true equality.

One of the most notable cases is the cold-blooded murder for which a twenty-year-old woman was charged in July. According to the newspaper Dagens Nyheter, this woman "took on murder tasks in a bloody gang conflict in Norrköping." In December 2022, she pretended to be interested in buying wireless headphones to lure a seventeen-year-old boy to a tram stop, where she then shot him in the head. A security camera captured her running from the scene, but she was not arrested until after the New Year.

Increasing Female Involvement in Organized Crime

According to the National Prosecutor's Office (NSZ), the number of women actively involved in organized crime increased by 100 to nearly 500 last year. About 120 women hold leadership positions in gangs. Despite these facts, the police consistently fail to recognize the significant role of women in these criminal networks.

"The police did not pay enough attention to women, even when they were present at locations where house searches and seizures were conducted. The police viewed women as victims, not accomplices," Sven Ahlbin told Dagens Nyheter.

Murder Tasks and Attempted Murder

More than half a year after the arrest, suspicion against the woman grew, and she was also charged with attempted murder. According to the indictment, she shot at a residential building in central Norrköping where several people were present. Luckily, no one was hurt. "If someone had been in the hallway during the shooting, it could have been a complete tragedy. The shooting was uncontrolled, which she seemed completely indifferent to," said Jan Staaf, head of the police investigation in the Östergötland area.

The police believe the woman killed for money. "In chats, we see discussions about money, similar to other shooting cases across the country," Staaf said. The woman denies the crime.

Police Underestimating Women

According to a report by former police chief Sven Ahlbin, women often act as intermediaries, store and transport weapons, help lure victims, and protect criminals from being exposed. Women also help create the image of a well-ordered family that does not attract the attention of authorities. Having an attractive woman with a life full of studies or work is a great advantage and status symbol for criminals. Women often achieve higher positions in gang hierarchies and are often more educated than men. Despite this, the police do not consider it important to thoroughly investigate the role of women in criminal networks.

Lenient Sentences and Better Prison Conditions

Women in Sweden often face more lenient sentences and better prison conditions than men, further encouraging their involvement in organized crime. Women serve as tools for legitimizing lies and serious criminal activities, and when caught, they face much lighter sentences in more lenient prisons.