Police unions across the Nordic countries have issued a joint statement saying that gang violence originating in Sweden has become a regional issue that they cannot solve on their own.
The unions from Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Iceland expressed concern that officers are increasingly unable to contain and prevent gang-related crime from becoming a shared Nordic problem.
The joint statement highlighted several recent cases of organised crime throughout the Nordics, including a record-breaking seizure by Southeast Finland police of 42 kilograms of amphetamines smuggled from Sweden, along with weapons and explosives.
To combat organised crime, the unions are calling for a stronger police presence, with more officers dedicated to investigations, street patrols and station staffing.
They believe that with additional resources, they can stay one step ahead of criminal gangs and prevent their planned offences from becoming a reality.
The police unions also called for greater cooperation between national police across borders. They noted in their statement that a police station is currently being built on the border between Norway and Sweden, Finnish and Swedish police are working together in the Tornio river valley and the Danish and Swedish governments have agreed to increase police cooperation.