During a visit to Bäckby, a neighborhood grappling with unemployment, health issues, and crime, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced a comprehensive plan to combat gang recruitment among the youth.

Emphasizing the role of parents, Kristersson declared that allowing children to grow up in criminal environments is a failure of parental responsibility.

The strategy includes pushing for early preschool enrollment for children with poor Swedish language skills, reducing family benefits to encourage employment, and enabling a stricter social service intervention in families involved in criminal activities.

A key focus of the government will be on preventive measures, which Kristersson admits have been overshadowed by the emphasis on harsher penalties under the existing policies.

He acknowledged the need for more research into effective prevention and highlighted the importance of inter-agency communication about at-risk youth, facilitated by new secrecy legislation.

The prime minister's visit also touched upon the need for increased safety measures in schools and public spaces, discussing potential legislations like visitation zones.

Despite the challenges, Kristersson remains committed to tackling the root causes of youth criminality, stressing the importance of education and employment opportunities as long-term solutions.