Crime surge alarms Spanish tourism hotspot of Barcelona

Those injured by thieves in recent days include Afghanistan’s ambassador to Spain and a 91-year-old French woman who was pushed to the ground

In June, a South Korean public servant who was visiting the city died from her injuries after being beaten up by muggers

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Tourists walk past a souvenir shop in downtown Barcelona, Spain on Friday. Photo: EPA

Published: 11:41am, 24 Aug 2019Updated: 8:55pm, 24 Aug 2019

A surge in muggings and burglaries in Barcelona, mainly targeting tourists, has sparked alarm in Spain’s second-largest city, leading local residents to form their own crime-fighting patrols.

The US consulate in Barcelona on Wednesday warned its nationals of “an increase in violent crime in the city” and urged them not to “display signs of wealth such as wearing expensive jewellery or watches”.

The alert came just days after Afghanistan’s ambassador to Spain was injured in a group mugging to steal his watch in the city centre, and a 91-year-old French woman was hospitalised after thieves yanked her necklace, causing her to fall.

Barcelona, a European tourist hotspot, has recorded eight murders since July, an unusually high number for the Mediterranean seaside city, and in June a visiting South Korean public servant died from injuries she suffered during a mugging.

A ‘citizen on patrol’ holds up a sign warning metro passengers of pickpockets in Barcelona. Photo: AFP

The city’s hotel association has warned that Barcelona’s reputation could be “seriously harmed”.