Government brushes up anti-gang package

The gang package includes a more stringent punishment for firearms possession

The vast majority of parliament has agreed to a new package aimed at curtailing gang activity, according to a Justice Ministry press release.

Longer prison sentences, limited parole and a strengthening of preventative measures and the gang-exit strategy are among the initiatives that will come into effect on July 1.

“A broad majority supports the government’s gang package, and I am satisfied that we can strengthen our efforts against gang crime,” Karen Hækkerup, the justice minister, said.

READ MORE: Exit strategy failing gang members

Tougher punishment
The gang package includes a more stringent punishment for firearms possession and provisions to make it easier to use the so-called ‘gang rule’, which can hand out twice-as-hard punishments for serious crimes connected to gang conflict.

The ‘gang rule’ has been expanded in order to prevent gang conflicts from escalating and endangering ordinary citizens.

Last month, the exit program offered to gang members who wish to leave their gang was deemed a failure in a report released by the Justice Ministry.

Read the entire law change here (in Danish).




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