Law and order has in recent years become an increasingly important political issue for Swedish voters.

The background is not least the growing crime and the anxiety it creates in broad groups of voters.

The development of crime has affected both society at large and the political debate, which is the subject of this week's episode of Politikbyrån.

As insecurity and unrest spread, trust risks being damaged not only by the rule of law but, by extension, by the ability of a democratic society to protect its citizens.

In Novus' latest survey, 51 percent of voters believe that the issue is one of the most important in Sweden today.

Only healthcare is given greater importance.

The latest SOM survey from the University of Gothenburg also shows interesting results.

As many as 90 percent of the population want to see harsher punishments for gang criminals.

It is the strongest support ever measured by the SOM Institute for a single proposal.

Swedes are most worried about organized crime

According to the SOM Institute, organized crime is also the issue Swedes are most worried about (60 percent).

This comes before increased use of drugs (55 per cent), deteriorating marine environment (53 per cent), environmental degradation (53 per cent) and before concerns about changes in the earth's climate (52 per cent).

Crime thus ends up in the top tier both in terms of people's concerns and their importance as a political issue.

This means that the issue can be of great importance in next year's election.

Among other things, the government realizes this, which is pressured by the development of crime.

Both because the government bears the ultimate responsibility for the fight against crime in the country, but also because both the Social Democrats and the Green Party have clearly lower confidence among voters in matters concerning law and order than, for example, the large opposition party the Moderates.

"Almost decisive for the Social Democrats"

For the Social Democrats, therefore, also for political reasons, it is almost crucial before next year's election to be able to show results in the efforts to reduce the serious violent crimes.

If one can show a trend break and a clear downward trend, the issue in the next step can decrease in political significance and then the possibilities of retaining government power are likely to increase.

It would also create better conditions for the Social Democrats to be able to talk about their "favorite issues", such as welfare and care.

That is why the government likes to talk often and repeatedly about the slightest glimmer of light in the development of crime.

Minister of the Interior Mikael Damberg (S) has already had several press conferences this year where he reported on data that may indicate that the shootings in Sweden are on the way down.

The government is also happy to talk about the new police officers that are now being recruited, about increased penalties and about overcrowded prisons.

All to show that you use the hard gloves against the criminals.

This week's crackdown on organized crime, in which 155 suspects were arrested in Sweden, is also highlighted as a great success.

"Opposition on the right not happy"

But the opposition on the right in the Riksdag is not satisfied.

The Moderates, the Sweden Democrats and the Christian Democrats all demand a tougher grip.

These are, for example, proposals for anonymous witnesses, visitation zones and double penalties for gang criminals, as the Moderates have proposed, or to deploy the military in vulnerable areas, which the Sweden Democrats run.

All this paves the way for crime and crime development to play a perhaps decisive role in the election campaign next year.