Crime in the city of Barcelona continues to decline. During the first months of 2026 —from January to June— there were 11.2% fewer incidents than in the same period of 2025. In Catalonia, this decrease was 8.1%, and the overall figure is 12% below decade-ago levels. These figures were released during the Local Security Board meeting, attended by officials from the Mossos d’Esquadra and the Guàrdia Urbana.
According to the mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni, the numbers indicate that "progress is being made." He highlighted the reduction in incidents involving bladed weapons, which have decreased by 20.9% thanks to police operations like the 'Pla Daga'. Pickpocketing has also fallen by 21%, a figure described as "spectacular" by the mayor.
“"We must expel this riff-raff from the city so it doesn't become a battlefield."
Despite the positive data, the debate on the rise of firearms was addressed. Of the nine homicides registered in 2026, four were shootings, three linked to organized crime. Police attribute this increase to criminal conflict and the presence of firearms in lower-level drug trafficking networks, considering it not to be structural violence in Barcelona.
Mayor Collboni and the Minister of the Interior, Núria Parlon, emphasized the need to be "proactive in prevention and also in legislative reforms" to curb these incidents. The minister acknowledged that, despite being a "minority activity," it has a significant impact.
Crimes involving repeat offenders have decreased by 15.9% thanks to the 'Kanpai' plan. 2,190 persistent offenders (DARP) have been identified, of whom 771 were already repeat offenders and 1,419 have been added, accumulating 6,276 property crimes.
Sexual assaults in general have decreased by 9.4%. While gender-based violence has fallen by 13.8%, domestic violence has increased by 52.4%. The Guàrdia Urbana handled 340 cases, 114 protection requests (39% granted), and 18 referrals to emergency housing services.
