In Catalonia, a new phase in the fight against repeat offenders has been carried out over the past six months. As a result of a large-scale operation called Kanpai, officers from the Mossos d’Esquadra (the regional police) identified nearly 4,000 individuals considered a threat due to their tendency to reoffend. During this period, 470 repeat offenders were arrested, marking a significant step in changing the region’s crime landscape.
New criteria and broader coverage
Previously, Catalan police classified offenders as repeat offenders only if they had committed at least seven thefts or five thefts and one violent crime. Now, taking into account the specificities of different municipalities, anyone who has committed at least two crimes in the past six months and has a two-year history of offenses is considered a repeat offender. This new approach has helped cover more ground and identify far more active criminals than before.
Special attention is being paid not only to the major cities but also to smaller towns. While most arrests previously took place in Barcelona and its surrounding areas, police are now actively working in other parts of Catalonia. According to the latest data, 78% of repeat offenders operate in the capital region, while 22% are found in other districts.
Operation results and impact on public safety
In the six months since the Kanpai plan was launched, 135 police operations have been carried out across 28 cities. These actions have resulted in the arrest of 470 individuals linked to more than 4,000 criminal cases in the past. In addition, the identities of over 24,000 people connected to criminal activity have been established, and more than 2,000 stolen mobile phones have been recovered.
Police report that most repeat offenders tend to operate in familiar neighborhoods and rarely move beyond certain areas of Catalonia. This has enabled a more targeted strategy for identifying and apprehending them. As a result, for example, thefts and petty crimes at Barcelona airport have dropped from a thousand to two hundred within a few months.
Changing approach and new priorities
A key element of the new strategy is not only responding to crimes already committed, but also prevention. The Mossos d’Esquadra are now focusing on stopping repeat offenses so that potential offenders understand that impunity is no longer an option. Authorities emphasize that the Kanpai plan will continue and expand to other municipalities at the request of local governments.
Police are also taking steps to combat the spread of misinformation and stereotypes related to crime. In particular, they stress that the nationality or social status of repeat offenders is not disclosed to avoid prejudice and discrimination. The main focus remains on the commission of crimes and the need to stop them.
The future of the Kanpai plan and new initiatives
In the near future, efforts to prevent and prosecute repeat offenders are set to be strengthened. Among the new measures under consideration are additional restrictions, such as bans on approaching certain areas. Police are preparing a detailed analysis of crime in the region to better identify offender profiles and develop effective strategies to combat repeat offenses.
The Kanpai plan has already proven effective and become a key part of Catalonia’s security strategy. Authorities are confident that further development of this initiative will help reduce crime rates even more and increase public trust in the police.
