Sweden’s police force expanded by 10,000 officers but crime clearance rates remain unchanged

A major expansion of Sweden’s police force by 10,000 officers between 2016 and 2024 has failed to improve crime clearance rates, according to a new evaluation by the Swedish Council for Crime Prevention (Brå), as reported by SVT Nyheter.

The government-mandated report confirms that the Swedish Police Authority met its target of hiring 10,000 additional staff, increasing police density to the highest per capita level in the Nordic region. Police funding also rose significantly, from 22 billion SEK in 2017 to nearly 41 billion SEK in 2024.

However, Lina Fjelkegård, the Brå investigator leading the evaluation, noted that despite the substantial resource boost, results have been uneven. “With such a significant increase in resources, one might have expected more,” she said.

Clearance rates for high-volume crimes—ranging from petty theft to assault—have either declined or remained stagnant. “For the bulk of crimes, we see that clearance rates have actually decreased,” Fjelkegård stated.

The report highlights a clear prioritisation of serious crimes linked to organised networks, with improved clearance rates for shootings and explosive-related offences. Yet Fjelkegård suggested that the scale of investment should have yielded broader improvements.

Brå’s analysis concludes that factors beyond staffing levels—such as operational methods and organisational structure—significantly influence outcomes. The council recommends shifting focus from further expansion to aligning resources with operational needs and desired results.

Of the 10,000 new hires, 7,484 were civilian staff compared to 3,942 sworn officers, falling short of the 70 percent target for police personnel. While more officers are reportedly visible in vulnerable areas, Brå notes that crime prevention efforts have not seen comparable growth.

The report proposes halting further police expansion in favour of a needs-based approach, emphasising that “the police have the capacity to develop, and that’s something they need to build on.”