Revelations through the hacking of the encrypted service Encrochat, where criminals have communicated, the police have now got a clearer picture of how children under 15 are used by the networks.
- We see that there are far too many children who handle drugs and weapons for older criminals.
But we must also be aware that the older criminals are often also children aged 16-17, says Bohman.
Not visible in the statistics
But there are still very few cases of reported gun crimes involving a suspect under 15. This is shown by statistics SVT has requested from the police's national operational department, NOA.
But according to Bohman, there may be even more children than is stated in the number of reports.
- My view is very much based on intelligence and there we see a worrying development.
It is rather with what I build my situation picture than with what is seen in the statistics, he says.
Stockholm stands out
Children under the age of 15 who have reported possession of a pistol, revolver or machine gun during the period 2018-2020 around the country, are at a fairly even level.
But during the first six months of 2021, almost as many children have reported gun crime, as in previous years.
Most cases are in Stockholm.
Until June this year, as many reports have been received for other than serious gun crime, as throughout 2020. A worrying development, says Bohman.
- I think everyone understands how problematic it is for children to handle weapons.