Sharp Rise in Real-Fire Shootings

Data from the Mossos d'Esquadra show that real-fire shootings in Catalonia increased by nearly 45% in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. Between January and June 2026, 68 incidents involved actual gunfire, up from 47 in 2025. These figures, obtained by betevé and confirmed in reports from the Local Security Board and the Interior Ministry, highlight a concerning trend despite an overall drop in crime. A firearm incident includes any event involving a gun, such as intimidation, whereas a shooting refers specifically to cases where shots are fired. While total firearm incidents slightly decreased from 324 to 305, the severity of incidents has escalated.

Barcelona as the Epicentre

Of the 68 shootings recorded in Catalonia, between 87% and 90% occurred in Barcelona and its metropolitan area. According to the Mossos d'Esquadra, five of the 15 homicides in Barcelona since January were caused by firearms. The Minister of the Interior, Núria Parlon, attributed the rise to drug trafficking networks, particularly at lower levels, and called for harsher penalties on illegal firearm possession and large-scale marijuana plantations. Parlon made the remarks before the 9th Security and Justice Committee, noting that firearm-related deaths in Catalonia reached seven in the first half of 2026, just one fewer than the eight recorded in all of 2025. Similarly, 27 people were injured by gunfire in the first six months of 2026, nearly matching the full-year total of 28 in 2025.

This is a proposal that we make from police experience, that is, from what we are encountering and from the critical elements we observe and how we believe we can neutralize them.

Despite the spike in shootings, overall crime in Barcelona fell by 11.2% in the first half of 2026 compared to 2025, according to data from the Local Security Board. Catalonia saw a 7.6% decrease in total criminal offences, with 266,197 recorded, 21,911 fewer than in 2025. Bladed weapon incidents dropped by 20.9% in the city during the same period, while pickpocketing declined by 21%. The 'Pla Daga' operations, including recent raids seizing weapons and deploying new metal detectors, have contributed to this improvement. From June 22 to August 31, the summer Helios security plan led to a 16.5% reduction in criminal acts across the Barcelona Police Region. Theft dropped by 24.2%, and repeat-offending crimes fell by 19%. Crimes on public transport saw significant declines: 46.3% on the metro, 40% on buses, and 38.6% on Rodalies trains.

Ongoing Challenges

Not all crime categories improved. Robberies with force in establishments rose by 16.5%, while those inside vehicles increased by 0.5% and on public roads by 0.4%. The Mossos have identified these as emerging concerns. The City Council announced this week it now has the budget to equip all Guàrdia Urbana patrol cars with bladed weapon detectors, a measure aimed at sustaining the downward trend in knife-related crime.

Reported by beteve.cat, diaricatalunya.cat, en.ara.cat, particle.news, elperiodico.com, infobae.com, barna.news, betevé.