Signs of radicalisation are now showing up among Estonian children aged 12 and 13, a senior police officer has told ERR News.
Pärtel Preinvalts, who heads anti-radicalisation work for the police in northern Estonia, said the age at which warning signs appear used to be 15 or 16. He said a recurring theme was so-called patriotism that turns into hostility towards minorities, often starting online and moving into public spaces through stickers and propaganda.
Violent offences make up a growing share of youth crime: crimes against a person rose from 27.5% of juvenile offences in 2016 to 48.8% in 2022, and stood at 44.7% last year.
The Ministry of Justice is seeking a provider, through a procurement worth about €40,000, to help people aged 14 to 29 with extremist views avoid reoffending.
Source: ERR News
