Trapero denies the relationship between immigration and crime

Barcelona"They are two distinct concepts." With these words, the Director General of the Police, Josep Lluís Trapero, began to answer a delicate question: is there a relationship between immigration and crime? Trapero said that there are currently 8,500 inmates in Catalonia, and that 52 percent are of foreign origin, while newcomers represent 18 percent of the Catalan population. However, he pointed out that these data also indicate that only 0.3 percent of the immigrant population is in prison. "One person out of every 333. The debate on immigration affects all 333; the debate on crime, one," he pointed out.

Interviewed on RAC1, the Director of the Police pointed out that there are factors such as income level or education that may be common among people who commit crimes, but that only the immigration variable is being discussed. However, he did point out that there are crimes that are usually committed by people of the same nationality, although this has been the case for years. "The problem is when you infer that having a specific nationality predisposes you to commit a specific crime," he stated.

Trapero identified multiple recidivism, crimes related to marijuana, knives and firearms, and illegal occupations as the main current problems. These are issues that he acknowledged are not "well resolved," among other things because criminals adapt more quickly than the Penal Code. Regarding multiple recidivism, the police director acknowledged that there are between 350 and 400 people who make a living by stealing in Barcelona, ​​​​and that the phenomenon is spreading to medium-sized cities. He also lamented that the response through the Penal Code is still "poor," but he trusted that "in a short time" everyone will agree to modify it.

Decrease in Crime

However, Trapero noted that crime has been declining during the first half of 2025, "5% lower" than in 2024. "We need to talk about everything, but not raise alarm," the police chief warned. The Mossos d'Esquadra are concerned about bladed weapons, which, according to Trapero, have become "fashionable" again, especially in recreational spaces. They have also seized up to 600 firearms.This weekend there was a fatal shooting in Mollet del Vallès–, which in these cases are linked to drug trafficking and marijuana. A drug whose use "has become commonplace," according to the police director. Each year, the Mossos d'Esquadra make around 2,000 arrests for marijuana trafficking, but only 10% of those arrested are remanded in custody. He also warned that the marijuana currently being produced contains more THC and, therefore, has a greater impact on the health of those who consume it.

Regarding the risk of terrorist attacks, Trapero assessed that the situation is different from that of 2015 and 2016, when there were cells capable of carrying out a major attack. Now, arrests are more related to glorification or propaganda. Furthermore, he said that they are currently not aware of any far-right groups in Catalonia that advocate the use of violence. In this regard, the director general of the police also highlighted the need to strengthen values education, as he considered that "a step backwards" has been taken. "We can't be escaping things and expecting the government to solve them for us," he said.

The protests at the Vuelta a España

The police chief was also asked about the pro-Palestinian protests that took place in Madrid on Sunday, as part of the Vuelta a España cycling race. Trapero said that in these situations, a "balance" must be sought, adding that this "never satisfies the extremes." The major noted that these large demonstrations have been taking place in Catalonia for a decade, and are now being seen throughout the rest of Spain. He stated that "at times, there was a certain lack of understanding regarding the force and how it acted."

Regarding the fact that the 2026 Tour de Barcelona will start in Barcelona and several stages will pass through Catalonia, he explained that they have been working for months on measures to "guarantee the passage of these stages from an extra level of security."