Criminals from Sweden and Norway collaborate in cross-border crime efforts

Criminals from Sweden and Norway are increasingly collaborating across the border, and the activities of Swedish gang members on Norwegian soil have become more apparent. This situation is described as serious and extraordinary by Norway’s Police Directorate in a letter to the Ministry of Justice, highlighting an urgent need for cooperation between the police forces of both countries. Concerns have been raised regarding the links between Swedish and Norwegian criminal networks, prompting the Norwegian government to allocate 300 million kroner this year to combat organized crime.

The Police Directorate has suggested that joint patrols with Swedish police may be the next step in tackling cross-border criminality. According to Police Chief Benedicte Bjørnland, Swedish criminals are being hired by their Norwegian counterparts to carry out tasks in Norway. There are also indications that Norwegian criminals are looking to procure weapons and explosives from Sweden.

Local police districts in Innlandet and Trøndelag have requested to initiate collaborative patrols with Swedish authorities, which the Directorate supports. However, the specifics of where such patrols would occur remain unclear, as current regulations limit frequent border crossings between the two nations.

A Swedish-Norwegian police station, set to be completed in 2025, is being built at Magnormoen, marking a significant step toward improved cooperation between the two countries’ law enforcement agencies. The facility will span both sides of the border and aims to enhance efforts in preventing cross-border crime.

Police statistics show that criminal networks are established across Norwegian jurisdictions, with some instances of Swedish gangs offering their services to local criminals. As the threshold for establishing operations in Norway decreases, authorities are vigilant about the potential risks posed by these networks.