Sweden's once idyllic image threatened by gang violence and crime risk

A view of the southern part of Stockholm's old town. Sweden has long had a problem with violence between rival gangs. Photos: Steffen Trumpf/dpa

Sweden, by its own admission, has a serious gang violence problem, with shootings and the detonation of improvised explosives now regular events in many of its towns and cities.

There is widespread public anger at the perceived failure of Sweden's government to tackle the issue, and Swedish police are particularly concerned about teenagers being drawn into criminal circles.