Police surveillance without concrete suspicion rises 48% in Sweden

Swedish police used preventive surveillance against 698 people in 2025 before there was a concrete suspicion of a crime. That was 48% more than in 2024.

The measures can include secret telephone interception, camera surveillance and monitoring of electronic communications, SVT reported. Their purpose is to prevent serious crime before a suspected offence has taken shape.

Use rose from 66 people in 2023 to 472 in 2024 after the rules were expanded in October 2023, according to the broadcaster.

A government inquiry is reviewing the rules, including their effectiveness and privacy consequences. Its deadline has been extended to 1 February 2027, the Government says.

For residents, the figures show how far the power has moved beyond conventional surveillance tied to a specific suspected crime. The current rules remain in force while the review continues.

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