The man we have chosen to call Thomas is part of the criminal environment in the capital. He therefore wishes to remain anonymous.
He describes a young environment where crime has become much more violent.
– Now “all” young people go with a knife
– Many of the young criminals who are involved today have become more dangerous, and the reason for that is that it has become a trend to carry weapons, says Thomas to TV 2.
He says that going with a knife in the criminal environment has been normalized.
– HELSINGBORG, SWEDEN: Police in place after firing. Photo: Johan Nilsson / TT / NTB
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When he was younger in the criminal environment, it could never occur to him to carry a weapon.
Now all the young people go with a knife, according to Thomas.
– If someone is joking with them now, it’s a short way to the knife.
Sweden and social media
Thomas believes that young people take inspiration from other European countries, such as Sweden.
– You see cases in Sweden where the criminals give blanks in the police. It motivates them.
It also does not help that more people are hooked by violence through social media, according to Thomas.
He says that it takes a lot for the young regulars to get out of the environment.
– The children who are doing this now, see no way out. They have tunnel vision, Thomas explains.
– They’re scared
Hanne Amb Hovda is the team leader for the Red Cross and works daily with young people who are in conflict with the law. She has also seen the serious development, but she believes it is possible to get out.
– AFRAID: Many who come to Hovda are afraid of the environment they are part of. Photo: TV 2
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– Some have almost given up. They think that this is how it will always be. “The way I can make money is by being a running boy or a running girl,” says Hovda.
She thinks many people feel that they have to prove themselves or be tough to show that they are not vulnerable.
– But if you get them on two hands, you see that they are afraid of what they are in the middle of.
The Red Cross wants to show young criminals that they can have a future that does not involve crime.
Hovda says most people who are given the opportunity for a brighter future, seize it.
Thomas believes that they must be helped out by someone in the environment:
– If you try to chase them, you will never put any sense in them.
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