Sweden to widen police data-access powers to fight gang violence

FILE PHOTO: Police officers work at the scene after a shooting in Kristianstad, Sweden August 3, 2021. Johan Nilsson/ TT News Agency/via REUTERS

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Sweden plans to give police greater powers to access data from mobile phones as it bids to rein in a surge in gang-related violence plaguing its major cities, the government said on Wednesday.

There have been 25 deaths and 180 shooting incidents already this year, according to police figures, with crime at the top of the agenda ahead of a general election next year.