The Mossos d'Esquadra, Catalonia's regional police force, have activated a summer safety plan with 882 more officers than in summer 2023, as they prepare for higher visitor numbers and major events across the region.

For residents, workers and visitors in coastal resorts and other busy areas, the plan means more uniformed and plain-clothes patrols intended to prevent thefts, robberies and assaults. Mossos say the operation will also focus on night-time incidents, sexual violence, repeat offending and carrying bladed weapons.

Chief Commissioner Eduard Sallent described the expected summer as one of “high complexity”, citing the large arrival of tourists and incidents linked to nightlife and leisure areas with high concentrations of people.

“The summer campaign cannot be only about covering coastal towns,” Sallent said.

Extra staff for police stations and public-order units

The force said the additional capacity will be provided through an overtime pool and will reinforce police stations across Catalonia. Public-order units will rise to 1,500 officers, the highest figure cited for the summer operation, to respond to what Mossos call critical situations.

  • 882 additional officers will be available compared with summer 2023.
  • 81 officers were assigned from 17 June to police stations in Barcelona, Badalona, Mataró, Blanes and Salou-Vila-seca.
  • 800 newly trained officers are due to join during the second half of August, with 400 assigned to security for the Copa América in Barcelona.

Weapons checks and patrols in coastal areas

Mossos will deploy specific operations in coastal areas during the warmer months, increasing both uniformed and plain-clothes patrols. The stated aim is to deter thefts, robberies and assaults affecting tourists.

The force will also increase checks intended to find bladed weapons. Commissioner David Boneta said officers had seized 4,545 such weapons in the first six months of 2024.

The summer operation combines the Hèlios plan and the Ònix 2024 plan. Separately, the Govern's basic-scale recruitment call was expanded by 400 places, bringing that intake to 1,300 officers, but this is distinct from the 882-officer summer reinforcement.

Primary sources: govern.cat, govern.cat, govern.cat. Reported by Roger Franco | Isabel Ojeda | Sergi Bassolas, 20minutos |, lavanguardia.com, Carlos Manzano, Àngels Piñol, María Angeles Moya, naciodigital.cat, Guillem RS, Diari Catalunya.