Here's how the political parties plan to prevent children from being recruited by criminal gangs
What is the most important preventive measure to stop children from being recruited into criminal gangs? We asked members of the Riksdag from every party this question ahead of the September election. Here are the parties’ proposed measures and Erikshjälpen’s analysis of the responses.
Several of the parties emphasize early- interventions s in the environments surrounding children, particularly in schools, social services, and the family. Others highlight the need to crack down hard on criminal gangs and their ability to recruit new members.
The Center Party
Martina Johansson
Trauma screening is the single most important measure. By this we mean that all children, starting when they begin attending the child health center (BVC) and continuing through school age, are asked questions and followed up with to identify domestic violence. interventions can be implemented immediately so that no child has to grow up experiencing any form of violence. Many children and young people who are later recruited into criminal circles have experienced violence during their upbringing.
The Christian Democrats
Christian Carlsson
Secure families lay the foundation for a secure society. The most important measure is to pursue policies that strengthen families. This includes lowering taxes and providing increased financial support to families with children across the country. It also means ensuring children have more time at home with their parents, as well as with other adults in preschool, school, and community organizations, and by expanding the country’s parenting centers, parenting education programs, and parenting support programs.
The Liberals
Joar Forssell
Focus on early intervention in schools. More special education teachers, stronger student health services, and closer cooperation between schools, social services, and the police. Children who are falling behind, have high absenteeism, or show other warning signs should be identified immediately. In this regard, the new Social Services Act provides better conditions for more preventive and knowledge-based work.
The Green Party
Ulrika Westerlund
Implement a long-term, government-led Funding of crime prevention efforts. Invest more in schools, social services, healthcare, child and adolescent mental health services (BUP), after-school programs, and civil society. Introduce a coordinated national model in which the police, schools, preschools, social services, and civil society identify at-risk children, involve their families, and monitor the children over time. Ensure rapid interventions and long-term Monitoring.
The Moderate Party
Noria Manouchi
In addition to tripling the penalty for anyone who recruits children into criminal networks, new legislation will be introduced at the turn of the year. It is called “Mellantvång” and is intended to bridge the gap between voluntary interventions and compulsory measures under the Care of Young Persons Act (LVU). The new law gives social services the right to impose specific conditions on at-risk children and their parents. These may include requirements that the child attend school, remain drug-free, or that the parents participate in parenting support programs—even without their consent.
The Social Democrats
Teresa Carvalho
Adopt the principle of allocating one krona to preventive efforts for every extra krona allocated to the judicial system. Index state grants to municipalities and regions. Implement a reform of elementary schools with smaller classes and more qualified teachers. Launch a program for at-risk families and strengthen collaboration between social services, preschools, and schools. Provide support for municipalities’ crime prevention efforts. Break down segregation, strengthen civil society, and give young people in vulnerable areas access to safe recreational activities and trained leaders.
The Sweden Democrats
Adam Marttinen
We have already toughened the penalties for those who recruit children and made it easier for the police to use covert investigative techniques to catch recruiters. In the next legislative term, we want to introduce special legislation targeting gang criminals, make it illegal to be a member of a gang, and revoke the citizenship of gang criminals who hold dual citizenship. We will strike at both the gangs’ finances and their capabilities, and we will impose particularly severe penalties on those who attempt to recruit young people.
The Left Party
Maj Karlsson
Build a network of early- interventions s around children—at school, in social services, and during their free time—before problems have a chance to escalate. Prioritize a significant strengthening of schools, student health services, social services, and meaningful leisure activities, especially in areas where children are at risk of being recruited. Children should receive support quickly; families should be met with help rather than threats; and social services must be given the time and resources to engage in outreach and relationship-building.
Erikshjälpen's Analysis of the Political Parties' Responses
There is broad consensus on the importance of preventive efforts, but significantly greater differences regarding where the focus should lie —in schools and social services, within the family, on the early detection of risk factors, or on “ interventions ” efforts directed specifically at criminal gangs.
With the exception of the Sweden Democrats, whose policy “ interventions ” focuses exclusively on direct action against criminal gangs, all parties emphasize preventive measures. The Social Democrats, the Green Party, and the Liberals want to see increased collaboration between schools and social services. The Green Party also mentions the police and civil society, while the Liberals include the police but not civil society. A safe after-school environment is important to the Christian Democrats, the Left Party, and the Social Democrats. The Center Party emphasizes the early detection of domestic violence.
Erikshjälpen views it as positive that nearly all political parties are highlighting the need for preventive measures. For us, it is essential that society take early, long-term, and coordinated action . Children should not have to wait until their problems have grown too big or until they are already on the verge of becoming involved in criminal activity to receive support.
Children need supportive adults around them, a school where all children have the opportunity to succeed, social services with the resources to intervene early, and meaningful after-school activities where children can develop and feel a sense of belonging. At the same time, society must take action when criminal adults attempt to recruit children.
But now is the time to take action
The parties' responses paint a clear picture of what's on the political agenda. Now those words need to be turned into action.
Erikshjälpen wants to see long-term investments in preventive efforts, clearly defined responsibilities among societal actors, and early- interventions s that reach children and families before problems become serious. Children’s access to support should not depend on which municipality they live in or how early society manages to identify their needs.
Children's access to support should not depend on which municipality they live in.
At a later date, we will follow up on the parties’ responses. At that time, we want to be able to see which of the proposed measures have been implemented as decisions, allocated resources, and launched initiatives—and which ones remain pending.
Author: Lena Elf
This Is How Erikshjälpen Aims to Prevent Children from Being Drawn into Crime
Through “ Erikshjälpen Framtidsverkstad ,” we create spaces where children, young people, and parents receive support to grow, make their voices heard, and actively participate in shaping their neighborhoods. The goal is to level the playing field for children growing up in unequal circumstances and to foster hope for the future.
The work is carried out together with the children and their parents, in collaboration with municipalities, the business community, and other civil society actors. The initiatives may include academic support and homework assistance, after-school activities, leadership training, and discussion groups.
Erikshjälpen Framtidsverkstad
Published: 24 August 2026
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