Barcelona- something needs to be done

[GuigiaroBertone]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3rd12zpnwgo

In the last 5 years a close relative and two of my friends have been robbed while in Barcelona. It seems that every time I hear of a tourist robbery it's Barcelona.

Such a shame- I love the place, but I've got no plans to return anytime soon. The authorities need to get a grip or expect a tourism downturn.

[robemcdonald]

GuigiaroBertone said:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3rd12zpnwgo

In the last 5 years a close relative and two of my friends have been robbed while in Barcelona. It seems that every time I hear of a tourist robbery it's Barcelona.

Such a shame- I love the place, but I've got no plans to return anytime soon. The authorities need to get a grip or expect a tourism downturn.

I was there last week. No problems at all. Travelled on public transport as well.

[SP_]

GuigiaroBertone said:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3rd12zpnwgo

In the last 5 years a close relative and two of my friends have been robbed while in Barcelona. It seems that every time I hear of a tourist robbery it's Barcelona.

Such a shame- I love the place, but I've got no plans to return anytime soon. The authorities need to get a grip or expect a tourism downturn.

They want a tourism downturn anyway

[bigandclever]

GuigiaroBertone said:

It seems that ...

That'll be unconscious bias, or something.

[GuigiaroBertone]

robemcdonald said:

I was there last week. No problems at all. Travelled on public transport as well.

I bet you weren't the only one :-)

[GuigiaroBertone]

bigandclever said:

That'll be unconscious bias, or something.

Quite possible- by definition. Although it will be interesting to see if others have a similar bias based on their own experience.

[Crudeoink]

If you're on the beach near the northern marina as the evening draws in you'll see a lot of young men coming out selling drugs. Not uncommon to see them with firearms too. The offers changed from 'Water, Cola, Ice cold beer' to 'Cocaine, MDMA, Hashish' at around 8pm iirc

[GuigiaroBertone]

Crudeoink said:

If you're on the beach near the northern marina as the evening draws in you'll see a lot of young men coming out selling drugs. Not uncommon to see them with firearms too. The offers changed from 'Water, Cola, Ice cold beer' to 'Cocaine, MDMA, Hashish' at around 8pm iirc

Surely a visible firearm would result in a swift response from the authorities? Do you think they turn a blind eye?

[LimaDelta]

Barcelona has always had issues with petty/street crime. Likewise Marseille and Genoa. Coincidentally, they all have direct ferry links to north Africa.

[Crudeoink]

GuigiaroBertone said:

Surely a visible firearm would result in a swift response from the authorities? Do you think they turn a blind eye?

You'd have thought so. Could have been a replica, but I didnt hang about long enough to find out!

[Mont Blanc]

SP_ said:

GuigiaroBertone said:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3rd12zpnwgo

In the last 5 years a close relative and two of my friends have been robbed while in Barcelona. It seems that every time I hear of a tourist robbery it's Barcelona.

Such a shame- I love the place, but I've got no plans to return anytime soon. The authorities need to get a grip or expect a tourism downturn.

They want a tourism downturn anyway

They do.

Everyone should just give them what they want and stop going there.

[Rich Boy Spanner]

I've been to Barcelona about 9 times over the years from the early 1990's to the last trip in 2023. 8 trips were crime free but the atmosphere can be unpleasant in places. Years back, around mid 1990's a friend was pickpocketed there. Barcelona has always been a bit dodgy but along with the rest of Europe the level of knife and gun crime, and a general boldness in crime is evident. It's definitely getting worse but that seems to be the case everywhere now. Stay in groups or at least another person.

[GuigiaroBertone]

nuyorican said:

Perhaps the authorities don't wish to risk inflaming community tensions by asking the naughty man to put his gun away?

I can't believe that. It's Spain, not Juarez!

[gotoPzero]

I have travelled there a lot, work and pleasure.
Wont be going back in a hurry tbh.
Same with LA. I would rather wander round NYC than Barcelona these days.

My most recent visits have just been to transit there and maybe have a night or two and always have a car to avoid the public transport system.

Always stay on the outskirts now. The city centre can be wild after dark.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

LimaDelta said:

Barcelona has always had issues with petty/street crime. Likewise Marseille and Genoa. Coincidentally, they all have direct ferry links to north Africa.

Yup we went 15yrs ago. It was rife then. The girls with me had to physically hold onto their handbag zips.

[Giantt]

Crudeoink said:

If you're on the beach near the northern marina as the evening draws in you'll see a lot of young men coming out selling drugs. Not uncommon to see them with firearms too. The offers changed from 'Water, Cola, Ice cold beer' to 'Cocaine, MDMA, Hashish' at around 8pm iirc

Camden high street, shepherds Bush high street outside McDonald's

[essayer]

Certainly puts me off going. Plenty of other cities to visit

[WhiskyDisco]

SP_ said:

They want a tourism downturn anyway

There is grafitti and stickers all over Barcelona saying:

Tourists Go Home (refugees welcome)

Edited by WhiskyDisco on Thursday 29th August 12:34

[andyA700]

WhiskyDisco said:

SP_ said:

They want a tourism downturn anyway

There is grafitti and stickers all over Barcelona saying:

Tourists Go Home (refugees welcome)

Edited by WhiskyDisco on Thursday 29th August 12:34

Do they get more income/business from refugees then?

[Guyr]

I'm amazed anyone sensible thinks it's a good idea to wander a major city wearing a £15k Rolex in todays world.

I sold mine years ago, as I just felt it was an un-necessary risk to wear it in many places.