World · Europe · 2 hrs ago
Spanish Cities Tighten Security Over Halloween Shop-Raiding Fears
Businesses in Valencia, Málaga and nearby coastal towns are preparing for possible Halloween unrest after posters and online calls urged people to raid shops.
In Valencia, authorities say Saturday’s threats are linked to the Blocus Vlc group and could echo earlier destruction and looting in Barcelona and Bilbao.
Valencia’s central shops plan to close at 4 p.m., while Málaga businesses mostly expect to keep normal hours but some are considering closing early.
Valencia’s mayor has urged residents and visitors to stay away from the centre and warned against counter-protests.
Police in Valencia are increasing their presence, and officials have removed or advised businesses to remove objects that could be used dangerously.
Five people have been arrested over alleged calls for unrest and looting, including three in Valencia province.
In Málaga, local police have also strengthened their Halloween deployment; officials say security measures will remain in place as needed.
Authorities and businesses in Málaga, Valencia and Barcelona strengthened security ahead of Halloween amid fears of shop raids and disturbances.
In Valencia, shops in the city centre planned to close at 4 p.m. on Saturday, while the mayor urged people to stay away.
Catalonia’s Mossos d’Esquadra detected about 10 calls by the Blocus movement for disturbances, including three in Barcelona.
The security alert followed violence in central Barcelona on October 24, when about 500 young people set fires and looted shops.
Police assigned the planned gatherings in Catalonia the highest risk level, level 4.
- Who
- Police, local authorities and businesses in several Spanish cities. The calls for disturbances were linked to the Blocus movement.
- What
- Security measures were tightened because of fears of Halloween-night disturbances and shop raids.
- When
- Ahead of Halloween night on October 31, 2026.
- Where
- Málaga, Fuengirola, Marbella, Valencia and Barcelona, with calls also detected elsewhere in Catalonia.
- Why
- Calls circulated urging vandalism and shop raids, amid concerns about a repeat of earlier disturbances.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
About 500 young people set fires and looted shops in Barcelona, resulting in 130 arrests.
Málaga businesses said they would generally open as usual but some were considering closing early, while local police strengthened their measures.
Valencia authorities agreed on a security plan with twice the usual number of officers for Halloween night, and central shops announced they would close at 4 p.m.
Catalonia’s Mossos were on alert for about 10 Blocus calls, three in Barcelona, and the planned gatherings were assigned risk level 4.
- Barcelona arrests on October 24
- 130
- Young people involved in Barcelona disturbances
- About 500
- Blocus calls detected in Catalonia
- About 10, including 3 in Barcelona
- Valencia shop closing time
- 4 p.m. on October 31
- Risk level for planned Catalonia gatherings
- Level 4, the maximum
3 sources
What people are saying
Whoever comes to loot will answer to justice, as those detained on the 24th are already answering. And nobody is guilty because of their origin.
I ask you not to attend the possible calls to protect commerce, because they could be counterproductive.
sufficient, forceful and flexible
Posts on X
Sabem que hi ha convocatòries per a aquest dissabte i els @mossos estan preparats. La Castanyada és de tots i se celebra al carrer. Qui vingui a saquejar respondrà davant la justícia, com ja estan responent els detinguts del dia 24. I ningú és culpable pel seu origen.