Over the past two years, Danish police have seen a surge in serious crimes carried out by children and young people recruited by organized gangs, often from Sweden. Over 120 people have been linked to “crime as a service” cases, and 47 of them are minors.
Young People Hired for Violent Crimes
A disturbing trend has reached Denmark from Sweden. Teenagers and young adults who are not usually part of criminal gangs have been hired to commit severe crimes such as shootings, murders, and bombings. These missions are ordered and paid for by organized networks that operate across national borders.
Since early 2024, Danish police have identified more than 120 suspects involved in these targeted criminal operations. Of them, 47 are minors believed to have been paid to carry out murder attempts and bomb attacks. Authorities describe it as “crime as a service,” a criminal business model fueled by money and social media recruitment.
In several cases, additional unknown offenders are still on the run.
Police Cooperation Across Borders
Investigators from Denmark, Sweden, and Norway are collaborating closely to track the organized structures behind the crimes. Police officials describe the networks as having four roles: the commissioner, the recruiter, the facilitator, and the executor.
Swedish-led criminal groups are often behind recruitment and logistics. The recruiter connects the commissioner with young perpetrators through encrypted chat groups. Facilitators handle practical tasks like providing weapons, safehouses, or cash. The executor is the one who carries out the violent act, often with little understanding of the broader plan.
Catching Criminals Before They Strike
Copenhagen Police have managed to stop many attacks before they happened. Close cooperation between detectives and street patrols has been key. Officers receive analysis updates, making them aware of what to look for—such as suspicious individuals on electric bikes or scooters in cities.
Sometimes, even details like heavy jackets in summer have led to arrests. Quick reaction teams have carried out “mini manhunts” when tips suggested a Swedish hitman was entering Denmark.
These early interventions have saved lives and uncovered important evidence about how gangs organize and communicate online.
Swedish and Danish Gang Ties
According to a recent Swedish police report, Sweden now counts around 17,500 active gang members and 50,000 people connected to organized crime. Denmark has roughly 1,350 identified gang members.
Most of those hired to carry out crimes in Denmark are young Swedes, but Danish, Norwegian, and German nationals have appeared in some cases. Recruitment happens on gaming platforms, through social media, and in encrypted chat rooms.
Many of the young people involved come from unstable backgrounds. Some did not even know how to handle firearms until instructed online by facilitators. Despite that, police maintain they are fully responsible for their actions under Danish law.
Reaching the Masterminds
The Danish police’s goal is not only to arrest the individuals pulling triggers but also to find and prosecute those who order and manage the operations. Detectives point out that encrypted communication channels make it difficult to identify the top organizers.
At the same time, efforts to secure extraditions from countries such as Morocco, Iraq, Lebanon, and the United Arab Emirates have begun to show results. Danish authorities say several suspects have already been sent back to face charges.
This approach is essential, police note, because the system will keep functioning as long as gang leaders remain free and financially motivated.
A Growing Business Model
The “crime as a service” business model shows no signs of disappearing. As long as there is demand for violence, there will be people ready to supply it for cash. Internet anonymity and global networks make enforcement more challenging than ever.
Even though police have succeeded in stopping several murder plots and bomb attempts, only 17 convictions have been reached so far in the 47 documented cases.
It highlights just how complex and transnational this problem has become for Danish and Scandinavian authorities. Tight cooperation, intelligence sharing, and new digital surveillance methods may be the only way to slow the expansion of this ruthless underworld.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: Best criminal defence lawyers in Denmark for foreigners
DR: Drabsforsøg og bombe-sprængninger: Mindst 47 børn og unge mistænkt for at være på missioner i Danmark
