Criminal networks are recruiting children, and two 13-year-olds were apprehended after a grenade attack in Oslo. Justice Minister Astri Aas-Hansen (Labour Party) nevertheless rejects the claim that Norway has developed ‘Swedish conditions’.
– No, fortunately we have not developed Swedish conditions, Aas-Hansen tells VG.
She believes the expression describes a situation involving many unsolved murders, a lack of police control in residential areas and a lack of control over the recruitment of children into crime.
– Norwegian politicians and the police have been very good in that respect, says the Justice Minister.
The statement comes one year after two 13-year-olds were apprehended after a hand grenade detonated in Pilestredet in Oslo. Progress Party leader Sylvi Listhaug stated at the time that Norway had developed Swedish conditions.
The government proposes allocating around NOK 800 million to efforts against youth crime in the 2027 national budget. This represents an increase of around NOK 120 million.
Of this, NOK 45.6 million is to go towards implementing legislative amendments that give child welfare institutions greater authority to restrict mobile phone use, investigate contact with criminal networks and refuse visits.
The package also includes increased capacity for the expedited processing of criminal cases involving young people and closer individual follow-up.
Asked about the Progress Party’s criticism that the government reacted too late, Minister of Children and Families Lene Vågslid (Labour Party) replies:
– That is a bit rich, after having had seven justice ministers in a short period of time.
Aas-Hansen highlights the police’s preventive work. According to information provided to VG by the Oslo Police’s Eastern Unit, the number of gang criminals under the age of 18 has fallen by 25 per cent over the past six months.
– We are far from our goal, but the police at least say that they are succeeding with their preventive work, says the Justice Minister.
