The number of preliminary investigations into crimes in close relationships that the police hand over to prosecutors has increased by 22 percent since 2023, and the number of people prosecuted has increased by almost the same amount.
At the same time, police reports for crimes have risen by 13 percent in the last year alone – a good sign according to Deputy National Police Chief Stefan Hector.
"Usually it's not something the police think is good, but here we do it based on the hidden number that exists. We want to reduce that," he says during a seminar on police working methods.
Dark numbers
In a Brå report, 13.6 percent stated that they had been subjected to some form of intimate partner violence in 2022, which at a population level would correspond to over one million Swedes. In the same year, only 20,000 people reported intimate partner violence.
So it's a huge undercount, says National Police Chief Petra Lundh.
She believes that the increased number of reports and investigated crimes is due to the police's changed working methods. They have become "clearly better" in recent years, according to Lundh. This is not least due to an increased focus on the perpetrator, where people are sought out who are feared to be subjecting loved ones to violence.
List of people
Police Inspector Martin Marmgren has been involved in developing the work locally in Sollentuna, north of Stockholm. There is now a continuously updated list of at-risk individuals that they are working with – including through home visits.
We say "we see you, we know what you are doing and if the violence continues we will pick you up". At the same time it is always done with an outstretched hand, that "we want the best for you and it is not that you should continue with the violence".
Previously, there has been concern that police visits could trigger perpetrators or worsen a situation, but according to Martin Marmgren, the absolute majority respond to attention from the police with more caution and less violence.
We prevent much more if we act than if we wait because we are afraid.
At the same time, they have strengthened efforts for victims of violence and are now putting a lot of effort into building relationships with those affected and supporting the surrounding network, he says.
It is often the best way to get at the perpetrator.
According to Marmgren, the key to the success of the initiative in Sollentuna is that his group received targeted resources to work on the issue.
The police categorize people who are considered to pose a risk of exposing loved ones to violence into four different categories. Different measures work well for different types, according to the police.
“The chroniclers”: The largest group. Represents repeated domestic violence over a long period of time. Often have jobs and arranged lives.
“The invisible”: The deadliest group. Has few reports against them. Rarely comes into contact with the police. Possibly greater elements of mental illness.
“The multicriminals”: The smallest group. Has a varied criminal history in many environments. Many victims and suspects.
“The conflict-prone”: The youngest group. Responsible for many violent crimes, even against people outside the home. Personal motives, easily offended and emotionally driven.
Source: Police
