A group of women are standing and handing out snacks in Jordbro, south of Stockholm – to make it harder for criminal gangs to recruit children in the area.
If the children receive snacks from us, there is a lower risk that they will accept something from a criminal and get drawn into something, says Fatou Ann, who is the coordinator for Mamma United in Haninge.
For many children in socio-economically vulnerable areas, a long summer vacation means fewer adults nearby, a risk of losing routines, and a risk of not having the opportunity to eat their fill.
Children across the country have become a target for gang criminals, and the police have warned that the summer holidays facilitate the recruitment of young people and children by criminal gangs.
The non-profit organization Mamma United is running an initiative during the summer to increase safety and adult presence for children in four municipalities. In Jordbro, they want to break the trend through more adult presence – and free snacks.
With more visible adults in the areas, the gang criminals will seek out other locations, says the organization's founder Anja Nordenfelt.
"Everyone must do something"
Fatou Ann is the coordinator for Mamma United in Haninge and lives in the area herself. She wants to contribute to a better future for the children.
I have seen the negative change here and want to do my part to improve. Both for my and other people's children's sake.
The interest has been great, and she describes it as being very appreciated. A soccer match is paused for an apple, and a few young guys on electric scooters stop for a glass of juice and a sandwich.
I want to see positive things happen in Jordbro. I don't have the economic means to contribute, but I want to help in the best way I can, says Fatou Ann.
"Don't mess with mom"
The mothers are on site two days a week, a few hours each time. Local sponsors and foundations are financing the initiative.
The focus is on areas where there is a higher risk of children being drawn into criminal environments, which creates anxiety among many parents, explains Anja Nordenfelt.
We see that the criminals are not where the mothers are. You don't mess with mom.
Anja Nordenfelt describes the snacks as a safe point during the summer since the mothers are regularly present in the area. The children get the opportunity to talk about what's worrying them or just hang out if they want company.
In Västerås, where the initiative also exists, a shopkeeper said he has seen a decrease in shoplifting since we started handing out snacks. It may not be entirely our merit, but we are contributing, she says.
Lies or appears to hide things.
Starts hanging out with new, older youths or adults.
Has new clothes or a new phone.
Stops asking for money or appears to have more money.
Sends or receives suspiciously many or large amounts of money (via Swish or account).
Starts having two mobile phones.
Expresses themselves differently, has new opinions or values.
Source: polisen.se
