The shootings in Sweden have decreased sharply during the first two months of the year.
This after they have increased overall since 2016 and reached new peak levels when 2020 was summed up, the police's statistics on confirmed shootings in the country show.
Interior Minister Mikael Damberg now believes that the issue can play a major role in the 2022 election if the downward trend does not continue.
- We already see today that this is a very important issue for voters.
And I think that is reasonable.
We should not get used to the fact that we have this level of shootings and explosions in Sweden, says Mikael Damberg in SVT's 30 minutes.
Gang beaten out
One explanation for the temporary decline, according to the Minister of the Interior, is a major police offensive in Stockholm where eight criminal networks have been knocked out recently.
He has previously also pointed out that more people are in custody compared to last year and that the focus is on the criminal gang environment.
He hopes that the development will continue.
Fewer shootings in early 2021
"Then it will be a problem"
- It will probably be decided a little bit if I get it right then.
If we see a more positive development, that it was possible to turn around as it was in Malmö.
Is it possible to do in more cities around Sweden?
I believe that it is possible to show that there is security in that these police initiatives and other things will also solve more of the development, says Mikael Damberg.
And if it does not turn around?
- If it does not turn around, it will be a bigger issue.
Then it becomes a problem.