Swedish authorities report rise in girls involved in serious gang-related crime

A 15-year-old girl was detained on Friday in connection with two fatal shootings in Sweden last week, as authorities highlight a growing trend of young women taking active roles in gang violence, Swedish public broadcaster SVT Nyheter reports.

According to the Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention (Brå), ten teenage girls were convicted of murder in Sweden over a decade—half of them in 2023–2024 alone. The latest case involves a girl allegedly carrying out shootings on behalf of the Foxtrot network, a criminal group.

“Previously, girls were seen as just hanging around the boys,” said Marie Eriksson, a strategist for Västerås municipality, speaking at Brå’s national conference on Friday. “Now we’re talking more about them as independent actors.”

Police have observed an increase in underage girls accepting violent assignments from gangs, often motivated by money and status, according to criminal commissioner Gunnar Appelgren. “They’re online like the boys. They want flashy things and cash, so they take on jobs—throwing grenades, shooting,” he told SVT.

A project in Gothenburg, “Blind Spot,” found that over 80% of girls in criminal environments had experienced sexual violence, a key risk factor for recruitment. “Some act with their own agency, seeking money or status, but they also need the right support to leave that life,” said Anna Danielsson, a crime prevention coordinator for Gothenburg’s social services.

Research suggests girls in gangs are often not seen as full members, which may make them more receptive to intervention. “Once we reach them with the right message, they’re very open to help,” Danielsson added.

Brå’s data shows a sharp rise in convictions: three girls were convicted of murder in 2024, two in 2023, and one each in 2021 and 2015, with no cases in the intervening years.