Denmark's police to adopt facial recognition to fight violent crimes.

The decision follows a rise in gang-related violence from Sweden in Copenhagen

Danish police announced plans to use facial recognition technology to combat gang-related violence, reports EuroNews. The decision was revealed during a Monday meeting between Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard and National Police Commissioner Thorkild Fogde, focusing on rising shootings and violent crimes in Copenhagen.

The technology will also help access encrypted messages. “It’s about technology, digital tools, and the dark web. We have a range of technical tools available,” Fogde told reporters.

Hummelgaard emphasized the need for legal changes to enable the implementation, promising swift action. He condemned organized gangs for hiring Swedish teenagers to carry out shootings in Denmark, calling it a “sick, depraved culture of violence.”

Since April, official data shows 25 incidents where young Swedes were hired by Danes to commit crimes. Hummelgaard expressed outrage, vowing to pressure Sweden to take responsibility.

Gang-related violence connected to Sweden

Swedish police reported last year a rise in teenagers under 18 being recruited for criminal hits, as they face fewer police controls than adults and are often protected from prosecution.

One of Denmark’s major criminal gangs, Loyal to Familia, which was banned in Sweden in 2021, has been linked to such activities. Sociologist Aydin Soei told Danish broadcaster DR that members of this gang are frequently stopped and searched by police. Following the arrests of two Swedish teenagers, aged 17 and 16, for shootings in Kolding and Copenhagen, Soei commented, “It is, unfortunately, convenient for them to use Swedish children as cannon fodder.”

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen condemned the arrests, calling them “a chilling example of how cynical criminals exploit Swedish youths to carry out crimes in Denmark.” She added firmly, “We will not tolerate this.”

Swedish authorities estimated last year that 62,000 people were connected to criminal gangs, often recruiting members from disadvantaged immigrant neighborhoods. Most violence occurs in Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö.

While Sweden has struggled with gang violence for years, Denmark has seen less severe gang-related activity. Official figures show 1,257 individuals in Denmark were linked to organized crime by the end of last year.