Spain/Portugal/Gibraltar - Is Barcelona dangerous?

I've been to Barcelona many times, but last week's trip seemed different. Everyone I talked to had a story about bad things happening to them on the street.

One couple was driving back to BCN from a side trip to France. Getting back into the city, a moped pulled up to them when they were at a red light. They pointed to the front tire and said it was flat. They offered to help to tourists if they pulled off to the side. While helping them, they stole everything out of their car. Apparently the moped people had punctured the tire as they pulled up to the car.

Two separate stories involved a man identifying himself as a detective (with a badge in his wallet) asking to see identification. While looking at their ID he slipped all the money out of their wallets. I heard the story from a British couple in Sitges and another couple in BCN.

Is it just me or do others feel like the city has gotten a little more dangerous?

I've been to BCN twice this year and I never felt it was more dangerous than any other large city. The story about the punctured tire is a bit worrying since you have no choice but to stop, but the fake-detective scam is common enough in plenty of cities. It sounds like the unfortunate victims were either a bit naive or unversed in personal safety while travelling.

There was a very long thread about this recently and I believe the conclusion was: YES.

One thread on this is: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/europe/952655-crime-barcelona.html (I'd add a smarmy comment about use the search function, but, when I tried to use it, didn't work:))

Anyhow, I was there recently and, IMHO, crime is a very big problem there, worse than other big European tourist towns.

One thread on this is: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/europe/952655-crime-barcelona.html (I'd add a smarmy comment about use the search function, but, when I tried to use it, didn't work:))

That thread is closed. And... when I was last there in August (the closing of the last thread) I hadn't heard any of these stories. Last week I heard three of them. Of four rooms in the B&B I was in, two of the couples were victims. Anecdotally, that's 50%.

Is it possible that things are substantially worse now that unemployment is near 20%?

There was a very long thread about this recently and I believe the conclusion was: YES.

The conclusion may have been that many visitors fall victim to petty crime in Barcelona, but that doesn't make the answer to:

"Is Barcelona dangerous?" YES

I'd agree that having the wheels of your vehicle punctured is dangerous. This tactic is not limited to the outskirts of Barcelona
An organised gang who specialised in this was arrested in June:
http://www.lasprovincias.es/valencia/20090608/local/sucesos/detenida-banda-robo-coches-200906081259.html
This gang was committing up to 10 crimes a day (the moped incident described corresponds exactly with their style). Only one of the gang were Spanish, the rest were from Algeria.

Does the OP want to discuss petty crime in Barcelona (yet again) or start a thread about whether or not the city of Barcelona is actually dangerous?

As mentioned in another thread I have family members in Alicante who've patroled the roads there (as police and as paramedics), they've seen their fair share of incidents.

I knew about the scenario where a visitor's hire car will be earmarked at the airport, the car gets shunted and when the victim gets out to interact with the person who caused the accident, they are then robbed.
The tyre slashing technique is newer and seems to have come into vogue sometime in 2007.

Here's the advice given to Spaniards when bandits try to force your car to stop:
http://cochesymotores.com/atracos-y-robos-pinchando-las-ruedas-de-tu-coche-como-actuar/
1. Cierra enseguida todas las puertas de tu coche.
2. No bajes el cristal aunque te lo pida el de la moto.
3. No bajes del coche.
4. Busca una gasolinera o un policia.
5. Llama enseguida, si dispones del móvil, al 112 y cuéntales lo sucedido y por dónde estás circulando.
6. Si ves un policía párate enseguida a su lado.
7. Sobretodo, no entres en aparcamientos públicos o privados.

1. Immediately close all the doors of your car (I'd suggest you always have them closed in urban areas)
2. Do not wind down your window even if you are asked to do so
3. Do not get out of the car
4. Look for a service station or the police
5. If you have a cellphone, call 112 tell them what happened and where you are.
6. If you see the police, stop beside them immediately.
7. Above all, do not enter any parking lots, public or private.

If a tyre is slashed it's likely to be the furthest wheel from the driver's seat. If the crime is witnessed by other drivers they may try to alert you, even if it's just by blaring their horns at you.

Be aware also that another technique to get you out of your car is to cover your windshield with publicity material. The hope is that you will leave the key in your ignition when you get out to clear the crap off the window, but any bag or jacket that can be easily grabbed will be.

This sort of crime is given high priority (these bandits threaten not just your safety, but they often risk the lives of other motorists with their getaway tactics). If you are able to report it, your call will be taken seriously.

I have been hiring cars at Alicante airport for more than twenty years (and as many as a dozen times a year) and have not had the slightest problem. Neither have my friends or relations. So, please do not get the impression that there is a problem there (as opposed to anywhere else in Spain). If there was, I'd be aware of it.

I have been hiring cars at Alicante airport for more than twenty years (and as many as a dozen times a year) and have not had the slightest problem. Neither have my friends or relations. So, please do not get the impression that there is a problem there (as opposed to anywhere else in Spain). If there was, I'd be aware of it.
Good for you!
The local British Consulate has its own guidelines for visitors to the area. In its crime section the advice is solely geared towards car drivers.
http://ukinspain.fco.gov.uk/en/our-offices-in-spain/consular-offices/alicante-consulate/alicante-travel

I'm delighted that you've never had a problem and this helps put into perspective that these crimes are in no way the norm (nor did I wish to imply that they are limited to any single area).
However, when you've been going to Alicante as long as I have (nearly 40 years) and know locals who deal with these kinds of problems for a living, it's not worth pretending that it doesn't happen.

The whole point of my last point was not to scare people but to help people understand the scams used. This should help in avoiding them so that their actual experience of Alicante (or Catalonia) is as trouble free as yours and mine has been. And, should they fall victim, what the guidelines are to minimise risks.

living here is worst than living in any poor-non-emergent third world country. We get robbed everywhere.

I've been to BCN twice this year and I never felt it was more dangerous than any other large city. The story about the punctured tire is a bit worrying since you have no choice but to stop, but the fake-detective scam is common enough in plenty of cities. It sounds like the unfortunate victims were either a bit naive or unversed in personal safety while travelling.

That thread is closed. And... when I was last there in August (the closing of the last thread) I hadn't heard any of these stories. Last week I heard three of them. Of four rooms in the B&B I was in, two of the couples were victims. Anecdotally, that's 50%.

Is it possible that things are substantially worse now that unemployment is near 20%?

Having lived in Europe for six years I've seen or heard of such issues in almost every large city. Is there more crime now than six months ago or last year? It is hard to say. It may be with so little good news the bad is more noticeable. Regardless, one needs to remain cognizant of their surroundings and treat every 'strange' encounter with skepticism and suspicion.

We get robbed everywhere.
Yes you do.

I have plenty of stories of visiting Spaniards who fall victim to crime in London too!

Yes you do.

I have plenty of stories of visiting Spaniards who fall victim to crime in London too!

But never in America. :)

Seriously, it's very dangerous here. Why, sometimes the gangs of violent attackers are so thick you can't even see sunlight. Recently a nice British couple had all four wheels stolen from their rental car at the same time. By FOUR DIFFERENT GANGS.

The only way to prevent these tragedies is to keep starting threads in this forum.

Barcelona is not really dangerous - as long as you don't fight the many criminals there.

But never in America. :)

Seriously, it's very dangerous here. Why, sometimes the gangs of violent attackers are so thick you can't even see sunlight. Recently a nice British couple had all four wheels stolen from their rental car at the same time. By FOUR DIFFERENT GANGS.

The only way to prevent these tragedies is to keep starting threads in this forum.

I'm confused. What is your point?

I've been to Barcelona many, many times, both on business and for pleasure. I've never experienced anything remotely dangerous (other than a few borderline hangovers!). I have many friends and family who have also spent time in Barcelona; no problems, either.

I'm confused. What is your point?

That people need to keep trolling! There's no other way to save the hapless tourists from the teeming hordes of robbers and bag-snatchers.

That people need to keep trolling! There's no other way to save the hapless tourists from the teeming hordes of robbers and bag-snatchers.

Ah.

Do you find that you take it personally when you see these kinds of threads bashing your hometown?

To be sure, I've never seen a thread bashing my hometown.

As far as Barcelona goes, I'm just glad there are enough people with time on their hands to keep starting these identical threads and post these identical rumors. Otherwise some poor soul might accidentally visit and wander out into the street with their camera swinging from their neck and fanny pack bulging with irresistible American goodies and...well, it's better if we don't say. There might be children reading.

As far as Barcelona goes, I'm just glad there are enough people with time on their hands to keep starting these identical threads and post these identical rumors.

Do you think that many identical threads with many identical rumors about the same city might indicate that there is actually a concern that needs to be addressed?

That's my whole point! Keep posting!

That's my whole point! Keep posting!

Given what has been going on in Barcelona, I'm sure the posts will continue. @:-)

fwiw, I was in Barcelona about a month ago and while I was looking for it (having read all of the other threads warning of crime there), I didn't see any of it.

My guess is that with the crowds that gather on Las Ramblas there has to be a degree of it but I'd also guess that Times Square has it's problems, as just about any other major city with a similar congregation of tourists - French Quarter in New Orleans comes to mind.

I'd go back in a minute and probably will in the next year or two. ^

Given what has been going on in Barcelona, I'm sure the posts will continue. @:-)

O, thank goodness for FlyerTalk's trolls! I'm sure countless FTers will be saved from being relieved of their purses and kidneys in broad daylight!

I deleted the most recent posts about moderators. this is not the place to discuss this.

let's cool down a little bit and while you're waiting, please read the new forum sticky ;)
please stay tuned - this thread will re-open very soon.

chrissxb
moderator
europe forum

some people wanted posts deleted ... troll posts. this just happened.
thread closed. please keep the politics in OMNI/PR. ;)

regards,

chrissxb
moderator
europe forum