Nordic cooperation prepares for new crime phenomena and a more demanding operating environment

Nordic police commissioners convened in Stockholm on 26-28 August 2025. New crime phenomena and an increasingly demanding operating environment are being addressed through cooperation between the Nordic countries and knowledge-based policing. 

At their annual meeting, police commissioners discussed strategic priorities for crime prevention in the different Nordic countries, the online recruitment of young people into crime, and operational police cooperation between the Nordic countries. 

Contact and cooperation with our closest partner countries is particularly important when significant changes occur in the operating environment. Nordic police cooperation is direct and effective, and is based on traditional Nordic solidarity and equality. 

Policing is based on knowledge management, which requires information to be easily accessible, timely, and in the right format. In terms of information flow and usability, the emphasis at the national level to date has been more on data protection, i.e., control, rather than on the large-scale utilisation of information.  

The police can obtain information, for example, on how a crime phenomenon that is just making landfall in Finland has been combated in other Nordic countries, or conversely, on measures that have proven ineffective. This information is often important when developing solutions and responses in the areas of technological development, legislation, and operations. Knowledge-based operations save time and resources.

Online recruitment of young people is a serious phenomenon

According to the EU Serious and Organised Crime Threat Assessment (SOCTA), criminal networks are increasingly using online services to carry out their activities. Web-based and encrypted communication systems enable the recruitment of young perpetrators and the coordination of illegal activities around the world. This phenomenon has also made landfall in the Nordic countries, although so the number of incidents in Finland remains low.

Online recruitment of young people appears to be a challenging phenomenon – and for good reason. This method uses the platforms of private service providers, takes place in a short period of time, and has particularly serious effects. Effective intervention and prevention require the development of information processing systems or more efficient use of existing solutions. The importance of cooperation between the private sector and law enforcement authorities in the Nordic countries is emphasised. 

More effective use should be made of tools provided by Europol

The mission of the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) is to support the activities and mutual cooperation of the competent authorities in each Member State in preventing and combating serious crime affecting two or more Member States. Europol provides the authorities of its Member States with tools for data processing and analysis, which can currently be used to a limited extent in Finland in criminal investigations and analysis.