Corona center can lead to more serious gang crime: "Know that the police are more vulnerable"

Sars-cov2 does not discriminate. The virus, which is behind covid-19 disease, has paralyzed large sections of society. And in time, organized crime and gang crime will also be affected, even if the changes have not yet become visible.

- In the past month we have seen neither an increase nor decrease in shootings. Organized crime where many younger people are involved lives their own lives, says Sven Granath, an analyst with the Police Authority.

At the same time, the pandemic has most likely led to a change in consumer behavior.

- A certain part of the customer segment has a reduced demand, such as party junkies. It is clear that people are out in the pub drinking and partying less. Then, for example, cocaine will be in demand in less crowd, says Sven Granath.

Criminologist Christoffer Carlsson has a similar view on the matter:

- Of course, their drug sales will be affected as it is based on people moving and consuming. I have seen that people have speculated that demand for party drugs, for example, should decrease, as they are often taken in the club environment and it is not an environment people are particularly fond of right now, he says.

- But drugs are just a source of income for many, one must remember.

Closed boundaries have a greater impact on gang and network revenue.

- That there is nothing to sell anymore, I think will lead to increased competition. Maybe you will try to push back old debts and try to give up on something else. I think the industry will be tough, says Sven Granath and continues:

- At the same time, resources are reduced in the long term. But unfortunately, I think it will initially mean that the recovery will increase, with for example more shootings as a result.

The third factor that can affect organized crime is how hard covid-19 hits the Police Department. According to a secret pandemic, up to half of all police officers may be on sick leave or be absent from work in the wake of the corona center.

- We have seen new shootings lately. This may be because both the media and the government's spotlight is directed elsewhere right now. The law enforcement authorities are also fully engaged in managing and planning for the corona center for their own part, says Christoffer Carlsson and continues:

- Criminals are also reading news, they know the police are more vulnerable now.