Barcelona to increase uniformed police presence in key areas

Like all busy cities, Barcelona has its security concerns, but new measures to be introduced by the government on November 1 aim to improve public safety, especially in certain areas, above all the Ciutat Vella neighborhood, in the heart of the city.

Following a security meeting on Monday, the interior ministry said the Catalan capital will see a larger uniformed police presence from November 1. As the government rules out employing more officers, it will reorganize how they work to increase police cover.

With the crime rate rising by 19% in the city so far this year, mayor Ada Colau cautiously welcomed the news, but insisted that if "a change of intensity" is not noted, then she "will be the first to make her voice heard."

More cooperation between forces

A committee with all the police forces in Barcelona has been set up to oversee the reorganization, which will work alongside a working group reviewing existing cooperation agreements between the forces. If successful, the plan could be extended to all of Catalonia.

Barcelona accounts for 39% of crime in Catalonia, which has also seen an 11.7% rise in the crime rate in 12 months. In the eight months analyzed, the Mossos d'Esquadra police made 13,190 arrests and began 30,373 investigations, a rise of 9.5% and 4.8%, respectively.

55% of all robberies in Barcelona

Yet, Barcelona is the country's main crime hotspot, with 55% of robberies reported taking place in the Catalan capital. Of the 86,834 incidents reported in the months analyzed, the majority took place in shops and restaurants and on public transport.

Robberies with violence and intimidation in public have also gone up 19% this year, from 3,694 to 4,396. This rise, to 366 incidents reported every month, is in large part attributed to gangs specializing in stealing luxury watches.

60 drug arrests so far this year

Meanwhile, the Mossos and the local city police have been working together to close down flats occupied illegally by drug dealers. Since the start of the year, police have closed down 46 distribution points and made 60 arrests.

Incidents of fights, threats, and coercion have remained stable, although reported cases of sexual aggression and abuse have risen by 30%. However, the Catalan police put this down to "greater awareness."