Background & Purpose

Severe crime involving young individuals has created a need for law enforcement to gain better tools to fight and prevent serious offenses committed by children.

The Decision

The Swedish parliament approved the government's proposal, allowing authorities to use secret and preventive coercive measures against children under 15 years old.

Does this affect you?

  • Law enforcement agencies: Receive new legal tools to investigate and prevent serious crimes committed by children under 15.
  • Social services: Will receive children handed over by authorities more frequently and potentially after slightly longer detentions.
  • Children under 15: Can become subjects of secret coercive measures and be detained for longer periods during police investigations.

In Practice

  • Law enforcement can use secret coercive measures to investigate serious crimes where the suspected individual is under 15.
  • Preventive coercive measures may be used to stop and detect extremely serious crimes involving young individuals.
  • Children can be detained in more situations and for longer periods during interrogations or before being handed over to parents or social services.