[2] According to SVT, Sweden's national national public television broadcaster, the special "risk area" category signifies that there is a risk of the situation worsening, while in "particularly vulnerable areas", parallel societies exist, residents show a reluctance to participate in legal processes, there may be systematic threats and violence against witnesses, and the police have difficulty carrying out their duties.
[9] In April 2019, the publication of the list by police was criticised by municipality politicians as it was stigmatising and dissuaded investors.
[11] Work on improving the areas requires cooperation with several parties like local landlords and organisations, but fear of gentrification may cause problems.
[13] A vulnerable area is described as being geographically defined and having a low socioeconomic status and criminals negatively affecting society.
[17] According to a 2017 report by Swedish Defence University, of those who have travelled from Sweden to conflict zones to participate in terrorist activities, 70% were residents in vulnerable areas.
[21] An area in the vulnerable category is characterised by a low socioeconomic status; and criminals have a negative impact on society and public institutions.
The effect of their activities is that inhabitants experience lower levels of security, which may make them less willing to participate or witness in judicial proceedings against criminals.
[30] The results were lower compared to five years earlier and interpreted as a worsening trend by researcher Anders Trumberg at Örebro university.
[30] A high share of preschool staff in vulnerable areas have lacking Swedish language skills.
[31] According to the national operations section (sv: Nationella operativa avdelningen) the districts and their classification are:[32][33][34] Valsätra