World · Europe · 3 hrs ago
Barcelona deploys major police operation for Blocus calls
Barcelona police identified about 1,000 people during a large security operation on Saturday, with officers also patrolling the city centre and checking some bags and clothing.
The operation was a response to Blocus calls for gatherings in central Barcelona and concerns that violence and looting could happen again.
The concern followed violence on 24 October, when 133 people were detained, including 89 minors, after shop windows were broken and stores were looted.
This time, the day passed without major incidents, though many shops covered their windows as a precaution.
Barcelona’s mayor said the city had removed more than 2,100 rubbish containers and suspended 30 Bicing stations as part of preventive measures.
Police also acted in other Spanish cities, while officers and authorities coordinated their response.
The mayor said the police operation would remain active, and prosecutors have sought restrictions or detention measures for some minors arrested the previous week.
Barcelona police carried out a large preventive operation on Saturday, October 31, in response to Blocus calls for gatherings in the city centre.
The Mossos d'Esquadra and Barcelona’s municipal police identified about 1,000 people between 16:00 and 19:30.
Police reported 63 records for confiscating objects considered potentially usable at the gatherings, and no person was arrested in connection with Blocus during that period.
The operation followed violence and looting in Barcelona the previous Saturday, when 133 people were detained.
The city removed more than 2,100 rubbish containers and suspended 30 Bicing stations as part of its precautions.
- Who
- The Mossos d'Esquadra and Barcelona’s Guardia Urbana carried out the operation.
- What
- Police deployed extensively, identified people and recorded objects for possible confiscation ahead of Blocus calls.
- When
- Saturday, October 31, 2026, from 16:00 to 19:30.
- Where
- Central Barcelona, including areas around Passeig de Gràcia and Plaça de Catalunya.
- Why
- To prevent a repeat of the disturbances and looting in Barcelona the previous Saturday.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Violence and looting in Barcelona led to 133 detentions, including 89 minors.
Police deployed in central Barcelona as Blocus calls circulated for gatherings.
Police had identified 450 people and recorded 15 cases involving objects for possible confiscation.
The Mossos and Guardia Urbana had identified about 1,000 people and recorded 63 such cases.
- Date
- October 31, 2026
- Police identification count
- About 1,000 people by 19:30
- Confiscation records
- 63 by 19:30
- Preventive measures
- More than 2,100 containers removed; 30 Bicing stations suspended
- Previous Saturday's detentions
- 133, including 89 minors
3 sources
Última hora sobre la alerta en Barcelona ante las convocatorias de Blocus, las detenciones de los Mossos y el riesgo de disturbios, en directo
Blocus en Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Bilbao y resto de España: última hora de los disturbios, hoy en directo
Los Mossos identifican a jóvenes en el centro de Barcelona ante las convocatorias de Blocus de este sábado
What people are saying
We are better prepared than a week ago, but we will not let our guard down.
Barcelona is a city of freedoms, but one thing is the right to demonstrate and another is to cause disturbances, acts of violence and fear among the population.
Zero tolerance for vandalism in our city.
Posts on X
17.00 h En el marc de la mobilització Blocus, estem fent accions preventives als voltants de la plaça de Catalunya per detectar persones que portin materials susceptibles de provocar aldarulls o que tinguin ordres d’allunyament de concentracions.