Police in Finland are intensifying efforts aimed at investigating and preventing street crime, with the Helsinki Police Department set to establish two new special task forces focused solely on the activities of street gangs.
This will see one team of 16 officers set up to work within the department's Violent Crime Unit to prevent, detect and investigate serious street crime offences in the capital region.
A second team will be set up in the department's Preventive Action Unit, with the aim of stopping the formation of new gangs, dismantling existing groups and steering young people away from street crime.
At a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Helsinki Police Detective Inspector Markku Heinikari said that street crime has become a significant problem in the capital region, with around 200 individuals belonging to a dozen gangs.
Police receive reports of suspected drug and firearms offences on an almost daily basis, Heinikari noted, case which are likely linked to street gang activity.
Deputy National Police Commissioner, Sanna Heikinheimo, said that the problem is not just confined to the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, but has also been evident on the streets of other cities including Turku, Tampere and Oulu.
The police have received around 2.5 million euros from the state's supplementary budget for use in fighting youth offences and street gang-related crime.
Police suspect one gang of 20 serious crimes
The Helsinki Police Department said it is currently investigating around 20 serious crimes believed to have been committed by one Helsinki street gang in 2021 and 2022, including attempted manslaughter, two aggravated robberies, attempted aggravated extortion, aggravated firearms offences, aggravated drug offences, threatening a witness, and preparing for a crime that would endanger life or health.
Investigating officers have also seized several firearms.
There are a total of 23 suspects, all aged between 18 and 29, while police say a 24-year-old man currently in custody is suspected of being the leader of a street gang.
Detective Inspector Heinikari said that the gangs have been especially active in one region of the capital. However, Heinikari did not specify the region.
"They glorify and show off their criminal lifestyle on social media. They use gangsta rap music as a tool for this. This kind of gang crime has become the new norm in Helsinki," Heinikari said.
The issue of youth crime has been widely reported in Finland over the past few years.
The number of violent crimes believed to have been committed by underage offenders has increased steadily since 2015, with police saying the trend is being driven by the rise in street gang activity.
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