Barcelona Crime Problem

Wow, more than interesting. It is not pickpockets but out and out muggings. Beginning to take on a US flavor. We have been in Barcelona a half dozen times over the years. The last time was just two years ago and I thought it seemed better with a high police presents.

There was a report here last year or so of someone being pinned to a wall outside a bar in Barcelona by a couple of thugs and third one jammed his hand down the front of this pants looking for a money belt and then ran off. No damage since his money belt with under his shirt in back. At the time I thought it was an odd report but maybe not.

Will it keep me from returning? --- no, but will be more cautious than in the past. Too bad.

Thanks for bringing this important topic up Frank, I noticed this rise in violent crime in my hometown while visiting family these past few weeks. Unfortunately, this spike in violence is just another symptom of the deterioration of Barcelona.

PS, here's the link to my RS post from a few days back with more details and my own take on all of this: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/barcelona-has-changed

Even the US Consulate in Barcelona is getting in on the action.

Today they sent out a security alert:

Security Alert - U.S. Consulate General Barcelona, Spain, August 21, 2019

Location: Barcelona

Event: The U.S. Embassy advises U.S. citizens of an increase in violent crime in the city of Barcelona in the summer of 2019, specifically in popular tourist areas. Local authorities have reported a significant increase in the number of petty theft schemes that have included acts of violence, such as aggressive thefts of jewelry, watches, and purses. In some cases, these incidents have resulted in injury.

Authorities indicate they are seeking to address these issues.

The U.S. Embassy reminds U.S. citizens to remain especially vigilant about their personal security.
For more information on common criminal schemes in Spain and ways to avoid crime, please visit travel.state.gov.

Actions to Take:

· Be vigilant with your personal belongings.
· Stay alert in locations frequented by tourists.
· Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
· Review your personal security plans.
· Do not display signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive jewelry or watches.
· Call 112 if in urgent need of assistance.
· Review the Safety and Security information on the Spain country information page at travel.state.gov

This makes me sad. I was in Barcelona this past May and had a wonderful, albeit short, visit. The city was crowded with tourists but I never felt really uncomfortable. Once or twice I thought someone might have eyed me as a possible pick-pocket target but when I sensed that I would simply put my hand on my cross-body purse. I hope the city leaders can get their act together and address the problems.

My boss visited Spain a number of times during the early 1970s when Franco was in power. He observed that Spain was a very safe place and that petty crime was non-existent. He noted that Franco era local police patrolled with loaded sub-machine guns and were known for shooting first and asking questions later. No crime problem back then but would we want to return to a Franco make Spain safe again era?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pIkkzDagsY
Hill Street Blues: "Let's be careful out there"

"an almost 60% increase in violent crime in the past 3 years"

Por dios, que verguenza...

While indeed crime has risen, I believe one should read stats as they are: for example, the city had 27 homicides last year, if this year (and this is just an example), this figure was to double, an alarming 100% increase, we'd still be one of the safest city regarding homicides in comparison to cities around similar in size (and popularity!). Don't take my word for it, just check stats yourself, but not % but the figures themselves.

Be aware though that there's an ongoing orchestrated dirty political campaign backed by some reactionary Spanish media outlets to create a false sensation of insecurity to justify the occupation of the city by Spanish police in substitution of Catalan police. Just google for more info.

By no means this is to belittle the whole issue, but it's absurd to create an alarm when there's no reason for it. Having said that, when you have "very low" crime and in a matter of three or four years you move to "average", it's obviously a reason to review one's decisions and apply fixings to revert the situation.

Of course, everyone is entitled to an opinion, but just because some political parties want to take advantage of this security crisis for their own gains, does not diminish its significance or that this spike in violence is happening in the touristy area.

Is Barcelona safer than other large cities like New York or Chigago? Sure. Is Barcelona safer than it was 5 to 6 years ago or compared to other metropolises in Spain, like Valencia or Zaragoza? Most assuredly not.

I think it's important to look at the trend too, and the trend does not look good. I just hope that the city authorities can head off this crisis before it really spirals out of control.

I saw a guy get stabbed right on the Rambla a few years back. It Looked like a rivalry between local thugs, so not strictly tourist related, but it happened right on the most touristy street in the city and out in the open.

Wherever one goes, but especially in major cities, one has to exercise common sense, which means to me being aware of your surroundings, taking some simple protective measures with your wallet and other belongings, knowing where you are going, knowing what areas to avoid, and keeping your eyes open and being alert. This is true in the US and abroad.

It sounds as though criminal activity is increasing in Barcelona. But it also sounds as though the level of criminal activity, except for petty theft, was quite low and still is not close to what we have in most major American cities.

Hi Richard, the thing with this increase in violence in Barcelona, as opposed to violence in American cities, is that in the USA the violence is mainly relegated to the poorer "bad" neighborhoods, while what's going on now in Barcelona is happening at the heart of the touristy old town centre, of the Barrio Gotico and Ciutat Vella. I mean, over the weekend, the Afghan Ambassador was attacked on Via Laietana, one of the main thoroughfares of the city! Imagine if a foreign Ambassador was violently robbed on Broadway in New York, after seeing a musical.

is that in the USA the violence is mainly relegated to the poorer
"bad" neighborhoods

That's not true everywhere, including Washington DC where there are huge disparities in wealth, education, and economic opportunities. Although it has been much, much worse in the past, bad things continue to happen to people in neighborhoods like Georgetown, Dupont Circle, and Capitol Hill and even gentrifying areas where rent exceeds $2,500 monthly for one bedrooms. It's precisely because those places are teeming with relatively wealthy people that they are the perfect marks for crime like theft and muggings. Anecdotally, the crimes do tend to happen very late at night but they do even in heavily trafficked, non-poor areas and mixed-income areas. Random stuff even happens on the subway system and close to subway stations.