62,000 individuals have gang connections in Sweden

Criminal networks in Sweden have 14,000 active members, with a further 48,000 individuals having gang connections, according to a report released by the Swedish Police on Friday, reported Xinhua.

Ninety-five percent of active gang members are men, while 88 percent are Swedish citizens. The new total of 62,000 people linked to gangs is more than double the previous estimate of 30,000, according to Swedish Television (SVT) reports citing the police report.

However, the updated number may be too low, National Police Commissioner Petra Lundh said at a press conference.

"The figure is rather too low than too high," Lundh said. "The gang crime that we experience in the form of bombings and shootings can be likened to the tip of an iceberg."

Those who are not believed to be active members have been co-suspects in investigations, or have ties to at least two active gang members, SVT reported.

"We know that the majority of individuals with gang connections commit crimes, mainly drug crimes," Lundh said.

Last year, 363 shootings in Sweden -- most thought to be gang-related -- resulted in 53 deaths, according to statistics released by the Swedish Police.

"The situation is exceptional," Minister for Justice Gunnar Strommer said at the press conference. The government has introduced or proposed several measures to stem the violence.