I was recently the victim of a robbery that (based on my 50 years law enforcement experience) may have been an "inside job" involving BCN airport employees. The police suspect gang involvement as well. I also learned that crimes against tourists have become more frequent, blamed on local policies against arrest, prosecution and incarceration. (One pickpocket on the street had 87 prior arrests.). The United States State Department elevated Spain to a level two enhanced threat. I also spoke with people from other embassies who echoed this.
In my case, I rented a car from Hertz. I believe that I was followed into the adjacent parking garage where the rental cars are parked. I was given a high end vehicle (much more than I reserved) and when I went back to the rental counter in the terminal to complain about it I was told that's all they had. So I went back to the vehicle and drove out of the airport. Shortly thereafter a dark vehicle with two men inside pulled alongside of me. The passenger was making motions suggesting possibly something was wrong with my car but being suspicious I tried to get away from them but they continued to follow me. I pulled into a well-lit service plaza and got out of the SUV to check to see if indeed there was something wrong. "Out of nowhere" the passenger in the dark car came up and tried to slash a tire. I yelled, pushed him off and a cab driver nearby came to my aid. However, while this was going on, the suspect's accomplice got into my SUV and stole my backpack. Fortunately my passport, wallet and credit cards were in my secure pants. I am hoping that the police can identify the suspects from the gas station's video.
Although this incident was particularly brazen -- and I was lucky to have survived -- I learned from the police and embassy folks that it was hardly isolated and that people working at the airport have been involved. Further, crimes also occur within the airport.
This is the first incident for me in nearly two million miles of travel. The police believe (and I think correctly so) that I was targeted and there was likely nothing different that I could have done, especially as I followed the recommended advice of pulling into a well-lit, ostensibly safe location. My main luggage was secured in the hatchback area where I was standing and they didn't get that.
I would encourage anyone going to Barcelona (if you even choose to go there) to be especially vigilant as these incidents are becoming more brazen and several steps above that of ordinary pickpockets and tourist scams. I have been in other parts of Spain where I would feel safer but Barcelona has a well-deserved reputation for crime against tourists, Beware.