Last summer, Danish police alerted about Swedish "child soldiers" who took on assignments for criminals in Denmark. Even though the headlines have become fewer, it is still a major problem, said the Danish Minister of Justice Peter Hummelgaard (S) to TT earlier in the week.
Gunnar Strömmer agrees, and although some positive things have happened, it is still a major problem for the police to get to the recruitment. It happens through advertising in social media and it is possible for the buyers to sit anywhere in the world and recruit digitally, and then continue the communication in encrypted apps.
Limits the police
On Wednesday, the EU's ministers of justice meet in Copenhagen and one of the issues being discussed is how law enforcement agencies should get access to information.
It is one of the most critical issues this autumn at EU level, to review the data protection rules that limit the police's opportunities to get to information, data and intelligence in a legal way, says Gunnar Strömmer.
It is partly about the EU's data protection regulation GDPR, but the toughest issue is about encryption, i.e. that the criminals communicate in encrypted apps like Signal and Telegram, where the police cannot get to them.
It is just to acknowledge that law enforcement has been thrown back 50 years in time because our opportunities to use secret coercive measures are based on the police being able to connect, says Strömmer
Without that opportunity, the police and other law enforcement agencies are enormously limited in their opportunities to get to the criminal networks.
Frustrated police
The Swedish police are frustrated that they cannot just take down the ads without risking committing data intrusion. To avoid waiting for the EU, the Swedish government is now investigating whether they can use similar legislation as when it comes to recruitment to terrorism.
We believe that we can make changes in Swedish legislation regarding the recruitment of children, says Strömmer.
The investigation is being done on a fast track and around the turn of the year, he expects to be able to provide information on how this could be done.
Although the EU's mills grind slowly, Strömmer is optimistic that things can happen now. More countries believe that changes are needed and Denmark intends to drive the issue hard during its presidency in the EU this autumn.
