Minors as young as 12 involved in looting spree
On Saturday 24th October, a wave of violent youth-led disturbances swept through central Barcelona, targeting a commercial zone between Plaça Universitat, Urquinaona, Plaça de Catalunya, Portal de l'Àngel and Las Ramblas. According to Ferran López, Director General of the Mossos d'Esquadra, 133 people were arrested during the chaos, which involved looting of electronics, clothing, jewellery and optical stores. Among those detained were children as young as 12 years old. The arrested group included 64.8% Spanish nationals and 32% foreigners, with the remainder not yet identified. Around 74% had no prior criminal record. Only one minor was under the guardianship of the Generalitat; the rest lived with their families, many of whom have since been summoned to the Ciutat de la Justícia to appear before the Prosecutor's Office for Minors.
Police admit underestimating violence
Despite carrying out 300 youth checks and seizing hammers, pyrotechnics, sprays, stones and balaclavas beforehand, the Mossos admitted they failed to deter the violence. The demonstration had been rated level 2 out of 3 for risk, and prior Blocus-style gatherings, such as one in Manresa, had passed without incident.
We did not correctly gauge the level of violence, we had never seen it before.
, Ferran López, Director General of the Mossos d'Esquadra Chief Commissioner Sílvia Catà acknowledged that police presence did not prevent the unrest, stating: "The police presence was not effective at that moment in making them go home." She added that the events raise serious concerns about a growing loss of respect for authority.
No link to organised extremism found
Authorities have found no evidence connecting the riots to known violent extremist networks. Catà confirmed that the anonymous social media profiles behind the Blocus calls have no established link to the General Commissariat of Information’s database of extremism. Suspicion of possible foreign interference remains, but is unconfirmed. The first WhatsApp groups linked to Blocus emerged on Tuesday 20th October. By 21st October, TikTok profiles were promoting the protest and directing users to encrypted chats. Activity remained low until escalating rapidly on the day of the riots.
Government prepares for potential repeat
Núria Parlon, Minister of the Interior and Public Security, warned that a similar violent scenario could unfold this Saturday 31st October. She pledged to deploy all available resources to prevent a repeat, stressing that the behaviour was not political protest but criminal activity.
They are not young people claiming their rights, but attitudes typical of criminals.
, Núria Parlon, Minister of the Interior and Public Security Parlon urged parents to monitor their children’s online activity and warned that authorities would continue shutting down online groups used to recruit minors for such actions.
