Barcelona, November 13 – In a significant move to tackle repeat offenses within the city, Barcelona’s Mayor Jaume Collboni today signed an agreement with the Public Prosecutor’s Office for the creation of a specialized Urban Guard unit. This initiative, according to Mayor Collboni, is set to “multiply the capacity to respond against criminals” and marks a new phase in the city’s fight against crime.
A Unified Front Against Recidivism
The signing ceremony, held this morning, saw the participation of Mayor Jaume Collboni, Francisco Bañeres, Chief Prosecutor of Catalonia, Albert Batlle, Deputy Mayor for Security, and Neus Pujal, Chief Prosecutor of Barcelona province. Also in attendance were the head of the Urban Guard and members from both the police force and the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Mayor Collboni emphasized that the integration of this new police unit with the Public Prosecutor’s Office will “close the circle” in the fight against repeat offenses, leading to a “scaling up” of efforts. He stated that this will enable the local police to be “more effective, especially against repeat offenses,” which are the crimes that “most impact people’s daily lives.” While these types of crimes will be the primary focus, the unit will also contribute to the “protection of victims of gender violence.”
“We will offer a quicker and closer response, with an improved capacity for immediate intervention in the face of problems,” Collboni affirmed. Additionally, this police unit will investigate premises involved in criminal risks and potential economic fraud, and streamline judicial processes and complaints.
Collboni also referenced two other measures already implemented by the city council to combat repeat offenses: a judicial shock plan involving an increase in the number of courts and the Urban Guard’s access to the criminal records of detainees. He asserted that this new agreement “reinforces the will to protect citizens and make the city safer,” sending a clear message to alleged criminals: “the feeling of impunity has its days numbered.”
The Fiscal Unit: Structure and Objectives
This new police unit will be physically located within the Public Prosecutor’s Office premises at the Ciutat de la Justíica de Barcelona. It is slated to become operational “early next year” and will comprise five agents and a sergeant, who will perform “judicial police duties.” This unit, attached to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, is expected to reduce the suspension of trials and enhance the “effectiveness and efficiency” in combating repeat offenses.
The five agents selected for the unit are currently undergoing specific training in judicial policing, with a particular focus on “proximity-related issues.”
A Historic Agreement for Barcelona
During the presentation of the agreement, the Mayor of Barcelona declared that this day “will be marked as a very important day for the city,” celebrating that “we are taking our security policies to a new level.” He added, “It is a historic step; it is the first local police force with a specific unit attached to the Public Prosecutor’s Office.”
Chief Prosecutor Bañeres, for his part, described the initiative as “very significant” and believes it “will be extremely useful.” The Chief Prosecutor of Catalonia anticipates that the unit will foster “greater fluidity in the relationship” between the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Urban Guard, thereby “optimizing the performance of prosecutors and agents.” He added, “The agreement will assist in the agility of communications, locating individuals, and supporting victims. Ultimately, it will facilitate the work.” Finally, Prosecutor Pujal commented that “the Public Prosecutor’s Office could not turn its back on the Urban Guard.”
Source: https://www.larazon.es/cataluna/barcelona-incorpora-unidad-guardia-urbana-fiscalia-luchar-multirreincidencia_2025111369159edf39b3f1652be3f550.html
