Brå: The deadly violence increased in Sweden in 2020

Today, Tuesday, the Swedish Crime Prevention Council, BRÅ, presents its final compilation of the deadly violence in Sweden 2020.

It states that during the pandemic year last year, 124 cases of murder, homicide, infanticide and causing another person's death occurred in the country.

This is the highest figure since Brå began the measurements in 2002.

In 25 of the cases, the victim was a woman.

In the other 99 cases, the victims were men.

This means a percentage distribution between the sexes of 20 and 80 percent, respectively.

In 2019, the distribution was 23 percent female victims and 77 percent male.

At the same time, it is stated that 90 percent of the deadly violence, 112 cases, affected people over 18 years of age.

There, 23 of the victims were women and 89 men.

Among those affected under the age of 18, the distribution was two girls and ten boys.

Lethal firearm violence is on the rise

In 48 of the cases, ie 39 percent, firearms were used.

This is an increase of three cases compared with 2019 and can be compared with 2011 when the number of cases found was 17.

At the same time, the victims of the deadly gun violence were men in 41 of the cases and women in seven of the cases.

It is also stated that 69 percent of the deadly gun violence occurred in the regions of Stockholm, West and South.

Stockholm also accounted for the largest increase in lethal firearm violence, eleven percent.

Women are most often victims in couple relationships

Brå states in its report that the pandemic has affected society during the year and that this is also reflected in crime statistics.

Reduced outdoor movements in society have, among other things, affected crimes between relatives in the home.

At the same time, more investigative resources have been freed up.

In 2020, 17 cases (14 percent) of lethal violence were also found where victims and perpetrators have or have had a relationship.

This is in line with the 2019 figures when 18 cases, or 16 percent, could be linked to a couple relationship, according to Brå.

In 13 of the cases in relationships last year, the victim was a woman, which also corresponds to about 52 percent of the deadly violence against women during the year.

In total, in 2020, 437 incidents were reported and registered as completed murders, murders or child murders, the majority of which, after investigation, did not turn out to be fatal violence.