Barcelona ranks as the 14th safest major city globally for homicides, despite a recent surge in killings linked to organised crime. The city recorded nine murders in the first six months of this year, matching the total for all of last year, according to a report by Ara Cat.
Most of these recent killings, including an execution on Carrer Balmes in the Eixample district, are linked to organised crime and clan disputes. However, the Consellera d'Interior, Núria Parlon, recently criticised what she called "unnecessary alarmism" regarding the city's safety. Barcelona has historically maintained a low homicide rate compared to other European and international cities.
Global Homicide Ranking
Ara Cat compiled a ranking using United Nations data on homicide rates per 100,000 residents for 159 major cities worldwide. This analysis averaged available figures from 2005 to 2023. Barcelona's average homicide rate stands at 0.80 per 100,000 residents. This places it above Madrid, which has a rate of 0.60, and slightly higher than Rome at 0.77. Milan and Munich also show lower rates than Barcelona.
Irbid, Jordan, recorded the lowest rate at 0.43, followed by Krakow, Poland, Trondheim, Norway, and Rijeka, Croatia. Valencia, Spain, appears at 16th place with a rate of 0.81. Other cities with low rates include Zurich, Hamburg, Athens, Lyon, Oslo, Warsaw, and Vienna. In contrast, major capitals like Paris and Berlin have significantly higher rates, at 2.02 and 2.32 respectively. Marseille, France, stands out with a rate of 4.69 homicides, while New York, USA, records 5.16. The highest rates are found in cities in Honduras and Kingston, Jamaica, where the capital has a rate of 128 homicides.
Organised Crime Concerns
Despite its favourable ranking, Barcelona's police express concern over the rise of organised crime and retaliatory shootings. This issue extends beyond Catalonia. The European Union Agency on Drugs identifies drug trafficking as a central threat to internal security. It explicitly warns about the spread of violence and the recruitment of young people into criminal networks. Recent Europol reports also highlight cocaine as a primary threat. These reports note higher levels of criminality, corruption, and violence in major ports where cocaine enters Europe.
Barcelona's port is Europe's sixth largest for cocaine confiscation. This makes it a significant point of interest for organised crime groups. Jordi Bonshoms, a criminology professor at Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), explains that port cities with industrial areas, such as the Zona Franca, attract organised crime. These groups are particularly interested in the transfer of goods, especially cocaine from South America. They also use ports for trade-based money laundering, exchanging goods instead of depositing cash in banks.
New Violent Clans Emerge
Traditional drug mafias have diversified their businesses and integrated some into the formal economy. However, police sources in southern Spain and Catalonia warn of new, more violent clans. These include the Swedish and Belgian Mocro Maffia, Marseille mafias, and groups from Montenegro. These groups have already caused several deaths in Catalonia. United Nations homicide data shows an increase in crimes in certain European port cities since 2021. Marseille, Hamburg, and Rotterdam, the second-largest port for cocaine entry in Europe, have all seen rising homicide rates.
Police specialists fighting drug mafias aim to prevent these clans from establishing themselves in Catalonia. There is a risk that smaller, less violent criminal groups could imitate the methods of larger mafias. Mossos d'Esquadra, Catalonia's police force, find that executions in Catalonia are often linked to drug traffickers hiding in Barcelona who are then targeted by rival clans. These incidents are less often connected to deeply rooted criminal structures within the region.
Why Barcelona Attracts Criminals
Police sources suggest several reasons why criminals choose Barcelona. A good climate and beaches are surprisingly relevant factors. The city's high percentage of foreign residents, nearly 500,000 people, also helps fugitives blend in. Crucially, Barcelona's active role as a drug trafficking port makes it a desirable location for criminal groups. Europol defines Barcelona as a distribution hub for drugs, particularly South American cocaine. This ongoing challenge requires continued vigilance from law enforcement agencies.
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Originally published by Ara Cat. Read original article.
