Vem når barnen innan gängen gör det? En studie om brottsförebyggande arbete i ett lokalpolisområde.

Sammanfattning

This qualitative study aims to analyze how a smaller municipality in Sweden works on crime prevention where the recruitment of children into gang crime is in focus, due to the large increase in the recruitment of children and young people. The study is based on semistructured interviews of people who work within the municipality regarding crime prevention work. The study is also based on a content analysis of the formal law on how the authorities should work on crime prevention. From collecting the empirical data the results were analyzed based on the theoretical perspectives of Street-level bureaucrats by Michael Lipsky. Based on the theories the analysis showed that the authorities have difficulties working based on their scope of action due to lack of resources and the high workload. The study shows that local crime prevention work is limited by a lack of time and resources, despite high national demands for early and effective interventions. Authorities' discretion is also affected by formal rules and parental responsibility, which creates difficulties in prioritizing the right interventions and individuals. The study thus highlights a gap between national requirements and local conditions, while at the same time the responsibility for children and young people is largely shifted to the authorities.