Justice Minister Leena Meri (Finns) on Thursday presented a package of measures to combat and prevent youth and gang violence, including moves to toughen the punishment regime for under-15s.
"The programme includes soft and hard measures," said Meri. "We need prevention, intervention and for parents and grownups to be switched-on and awake."
Meri said that the government intends to toughen punishments for gang-related offences. Helsinki District Court has already agreed that street gang activities can be used as a justification for harsher sentences.
Currently under-15s cannot be detained for questioning. Police would like that to be changed, plus a travel ban to be an option for them when dealing with younger suspects involved in serious criminal investigations.
Tougher sentences for firearms offences are also on the agenda.
In total, the government's proposals for intervention and prevention of gang criminality include 43 separate measures.
Intervention in youth and gang crime has been a target for the government after increased media coverage of the phenomenon in recent years. Police estimate that Finland has an estimated 350 gang members.