Sweden has lowered the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 14 as it seeks to curb youth gang crime, a move that has sparked debate ahead of the country's election.

While Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson points to falling gang-related shootings, researchers and social workers argue punishment alone will not stop children from being recruited by criminal networks.

DW visits the city of Gävle, where outreach workers build relationships with at-risk youth, support families and intervene early to steer children away from gangs.