More than 80 people have been arrested in a sweeping joint operation across Barcelona and its metropolitan area, as Catalan authorities crack down on repeat offenders and organised petty crime. The Mossos d’Esquadra, supported by municipal police and national forces, carried out the coordinated action throughout Friday and early Saturday.
The crackdown, described as one of the largest of its kind this year in the region, resulted in the arrest of 81 individuals, who collectively had more than 860 prior convictions—mostly for theft, assault, or public disorder. According to the Mossos, the aim of the operation was to disrupt persistent criminal activity by targeting individuals already flagged for multi-recidivism.
In addition to the arrests, officers issued:
- 92 administrative fines for public order or licensing infractions,
- 183 penalties related to public transport, including fare evasion and smoking violations,
- Seizures of three stolen motorcycles and one electric scooter,
- Closure of two businesses for failing security inspections or breaching public safety laws.
The operation was carried out across key urban centres including L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Santa Coloma, Badalona, and Cornellà, with plainclothes and uniformed officers conducting ID checks, business inspections, and public transport spot checks.
The Mossos also reported eight additional arrests during the course of the day following an unrelated street brawl in Barceloneta, a popular beachside district. In that case, police intervened to separate the combatants, several of whom had prior records and were reportedly intoxicated.
A police spokesperson stated:
“This action sends a clear message that repeated lawbreaking will not go unchecked. Our communities deserve safety, and we are committed to ensuring that habitual offenders face consequences.”
The operation forms part of an ongoing regional strategy to address concerns from residents and business owners over rising petty crime, especially during the peak summer tourist season.
Local mayors in the affected municipalities praised the intervention, calling it a necessary show of coordination between security forces and a reassurance for the public. Transport operators also reported fewer incidents on metro and bus lines during the day of the sweep.
Further legal proceedings will now be handled by courts in the Barcelona area. Many of the suspects are expected to appear before judges early next week.
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