An Impossibility to Be in All Places at the Same Time
With the ongoing gang war in Sweden, an increasing number of relatives of criminals are reporting to the police due to fears of being targeted. The violence escalated when the mother of a gang criminal was shot to death in Uppsala, sparking a series of attacks on relatives of other criminals. This has caused many innocent family members to flee for their safety.
One such individual is Josef, the brother of a network criminal, who had to leave everything behind and go into hiding with his family. He received a call from his brother, warning him that they needed to leave immediately because the situation was getting worse for all relatives. Josef, who has never been involved in any criminal activities, now fears for his life and believes he is being targeted in the conflict.
The police in Stockholm have seen a record number of relatives contacting them out of fear for their lives. Erik Åkerlund, an officer at the Stockholm police, states that they have never seen such an increase in the number of relatives reaching out for help. However, due to the high number of potential targets, it is impossible for the police to be in all places at once. They have to assess the threats and deploy officers based on the probability of an attack occurring.
The situation is rapidly changing, and even in regions heavily affected by the violence, more relatives are contacting the police than ever before. Mathias Rutegård, a press spokesperson, explains that the police work to identify those at risk and provide support within the crime victim and personal security activities. However, with volatile environments and shifting loyalties, it is challenging to ensure the safety of everyone involved.
Erik Åkerlund acknowledges the concerns of relatives, neighbors, and the general public regarding recent developments. The reckless nature of the violent incidents has affected innocent parties, and the police rely on information from the public to combat the situation. He encourages individuals to contact the police if they see anything suspicious or out of the ordinary.
Josef and his family, like many other relatives, are uncertain about receiving assistance from the authorities. They feel that help with new identities would allow them to live a semblance of a normal life again. Josef emphasizes that he and others in similar situations did not choose to have criminal relatives, and they should not be forgotten amidst the chaos.
For those in similar circumstances, the police recommend using the 112 SOS Alarm app, paying attention to deviations in their surroundings, reviewing their social media presence, minimizing information about their accommodations, and considering applying for protected personal data when necessary.
As the gang war continues to grip Sweden, the safety and well-being of innocent relatives remains a priority for law enforcement agencies. The authorities are doing their best to address the situation, but the challenge of ensuring the protection of all potential targets remains an impossibility in the face of such widespread violence.