In just a few years, the number of people caught for concrete murder plans has increased significantly. The last twelve months have seen 140 prosecutions for preparation for murder, compared to 50 during the same period in 2021/2022. For instigation to murder, the figures have increased from 10 to 85.
The National Police Commissioner views the figures positively.
It means that we have stopped an event before it happens, that's what we now get a receipt for, says Petra Lundh.
And then you should be aware that a prosecution for preparation requires quite a lot, because it's actually difficult to prove.
The police began talking a few years ago about arresting more people on their way to committing violent crimes, but for a long time, clear figures were lacking to confirm the development.
Also recruiters
The arrests can, for example, be about the police seeing that a murder assignment has been posted in a chat, or that there are suspicions that a certain car will come to an area and carry out a vehicle stop.
Then you might find a hand grenade or a weapon in the car, and in the mobile phones, there can be clear plans to commit a serious violent crime, says Lundh.
It's not always the case that it results in a prosecution for preparation for murder, it can also stop at, for example, a serious weapons offense. If there are children under 15, there will be no prosecutions at all.
Mats Berggren, deputy head of Noa, particularly emphasizes that instigation to murder is increasing.
It means that we are getting higher up in the hierarchies and are not only getting at the perpetrators, but also those who are enablers, who finance or recruit for these crimes, he says.
It's more difficult with instigators because they often sit abroad and order the deeds, according to Petra Lundh.
Fewer die and are injured
According to the police, being able to stop crimes is a major reason why fewer people now die and are injured in shootings.
To a large extent, it's because we're ahead that makes the gun violence go down, says Mats Berggren.
So far this year, the number of people who die and are injured in shootings is the lowest since the police started measuring in 2017. In total, it's about 45 people (of which 23 are dead) up to August. This is significantly lower than the next lowest number of 78 (of which 31 are dead) recorded at the same time in 2024.
During the month of September, six more people have died as a result of gun violence, according to TT's compilation.
The police emphasize that they have changed their way of working and now cooperate internally to a much higher degree. Information is shared more often between both different regions and groups (such as investigators, intelligence units, and police on the street), which the police believe has yielded results.
The number of prosecutions for preparation for murder has increased from 50 during the period August 2021-August 2022, to 140 during the period August 2024-August 2025.
The number of prosecutions for instigation to murder has increased from 10 to 85 during the corresponding period.
According to the police, the number of victims of gun violence in gang environments is now the lowest since they started measuring in 2017.
During 2025 up to August, it's about 45 people – 23 dead and 22 injured.
(The figures do not include the ten people who were killed in the mass murder at Campus Risbergska in Örebro).
Source: The Police and The Prosecution Authority
