STOCKHOLM, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Swedish police have detained around 100 individuals from the highest echelons of eight violent criminal networks operating in the capital, Stockholm.
Police have targeted the networks in an operation launched at the start of 2020, Stockholm's deputy regional police commissioner Robert Karlsson told Radio Sweden on Thursday.
The eight criminal networks operate from a number of Stockholm suburbs, including ones classified as "particularly vulnerable areas" by Swedish police.
Over the past few weeks, however, police have carried out a number of raids and have detained individuals suspected of crimes ranging from severe drug offenses to murder.
Karlsson said the police would like to ensure these individuals are convicted of the most severe offenses possible because "the longer they stay in prison, the calmer Stockholm will be."
At the same time, Karlsson pointed out that the arrests and busts might also contribute to a new wave of violence in the capital, where the number of shootings has increased over the past year.
The Swedish Police Authority's National Operations Department has listed 60 vulnerable areas in Sweden, 28 of which are classified as "particularly vulnerable" and 10 as "risk areas." The list is due to be reviewed and updated by the end of next year. Enditem