Better opportunities to investigate offences committed by children under the age of 15

The law enforcement authorities will have greater opportunities to use coercive measures against children under the age of 15.

The Riksdag voted in favour of the Government’s proposal to introduce more effective tools for the investigation of offences that children under the age of criminal responsibility are suspected of. 

This means, for example, that:

• more coercive measures will be permitted against children under the age of 15;
• coercive measures including confiscation of property, house searches and body searches may be used in more cases against children under the age of 15;
• biometric data may be collected from children under the age of 15 to a greater extent.

The amendments also entail that a coercive measure will be introduced to be able to detain a group of people at a crime scene for the purpose of identification. A special regulation will also be introduced for the use of coercive measures in a preliminary investigation that is resumed for the purpose of investigating whether there is reason for review.

The amendments will come into force on 1 July 2026.

Committee report (in Swedish):

Bättre möjligheter att utreda brott som begås av barn under 15 år (JuU37)