Barcelona is launching a large-scale campaign to restore order in the streets, directly affecting both residents and visitors. The new measures, adopted by the municipality, aim to combat behaviors that cause dissatisfaction and discomfort among locals. Authorities emphasize that violations of public norms will now carry more serious consequences than before.
Mayor Jaume Collboni (Jaume Collboni) announced that the updated city ordinance on civil behavior will be strictly enforced. According to him, Barcelona had been waiting twenty years for a revision of the old rules, and now, with tougher regulations in place, violations will no longer be tolerated. Collboni pointed out that the changes are supported not only by the three largest political forces—PSC, Junts, and ERC—but also by over fifty public organizations. He stressed that only those who deliberately undermine street cleanliness and order should be concerned about the new fines.
According to city surveys, eight out of ten Barcelona residents have repeatedly expressed support for tougher penalties against antisocial behavior. This reflects growing frustration with noise, litter, and other forms of disrespect for public spaces. Authorities are convinced that only decisive action will restore comfort and safety to the city streets.
Control strategy
To implement the new regulations, Barcelona police—Guàrdia Urbana—are launching special patrols. This was announced by the agency’s chief inspector Pedro Velázquez. He clarified that particular attention will be paid to neighborhoods with active nightlife, as well as locations where residents most frequently complain about noise, alcohol consumption, and other violations. The patrols will operate both in uniform and in plain clothes to more effectively identify offenders.
Last year, police recorded 114,000 cases of antisocial behavior—one quarter of all reports made to the emergency number 112. The new fine system allows for payment on the spot via bank terminals, which are already available in about fifty patrol units. In the future, payment through mobile apps is planned, aiming to make the process as fast and convenient as possible.
Authorities emphasize that the main goal is not to collect fines, but to create a deterrent effect, especially for tourists and temporary visitors to the city. According to the municipality, it is precisely these groups who most often ignore local rules and cause complaints from residents.
360-Degree Security
The ‘360-degree security’ concept has become a key element of the new policy. Colboni and Velázquez note that cleanliness, order, and respect for public space are directly linked to the feeling of safety. During periods of increased city activity—such as holidays or large-scale events—enforcement will be especially strict.
To ensure effective implementation of the new regulations, all members of the Guardia Urbana have undergone special training. Commissioner for Civic Conduct, Montserrat Surroca, stated that city authorities are focusing on modern technology and swift action. The introduction of instant payments is expected to speed up the process and reduce the number of repeat offenses.
In the context of tighter public order controls across Spanish cities, it’s worth recalling how the authorities in Valencia recently announced fines for the Compromís street campaign, which sparked a heated debate about the boundaries of acceptable behavior and freedom of expression. Read more about how this conflict has influenced the approach to urban campaigns in the article about the dispute over street posters in Valencia.
Context and trends
In recent years, Spanish cities have increasingly faced the need to revise rules governing public behavior. The rise in tourism, growing population density, and changes in lifestyle are presenting new challenges for municipalities. In Madrid and Seville, there are also discussions about tightening noise and cleanliness regulations, while some neighborhoods have already introduced limits on holding mass events in residential areas.
At the same time, public demand for transparency and fairness in the application of fines is growing. City residents insist that measures be not only strict but also justified, and that enforcement be uniform across all districts. The introduction of modern payment systems and violation recording technologies is becoming standard in major Spanish cities, allowing for quicker responses to complaints and reducing conflicts between locals and visitors.
