In Barcelona in 2025, the number of convictions in repeat offender cases rose by 40% following the launch of a joint plan by the government, the Generalitat, and city hall. Authorities note that the program, which began in December 2024, not only increased the number of convictions but also helped reduce crime in the region. According to Justice Minister Félix Bolaños, this concerns hundreds of repeat offenders who had previously accounted for over 6,000 crimes.
Catalonia’s President Salvador Illa reported that in January and February 2026, the number of physical crimes dropped by 8%, while digital crimes fell by almost 3%. He estimates this helped prevent around 9,000 offenses. Illa also emphasized that the recidivism rate in this period decreased by 40%.
Reform Results
The report presented at the Palau de la Generalitat involved police and judiciary officials, as well as counselors Ramon Espadaler (Justice) and Núria Parlón (Internal Affairs). According to their data, in 2025, the judicial district of Barcelona issued 1,380 more fast-track verdicts than the previous year. In petty offense cases, growth reached 39%, up to 3,566 rulings.
The Internal Affairs Counselor noted that repeat offender activity dropped by 40%, while crimes involving infrastructure fell by 37%. Over the year, police identified 32,000 individuals, conducted 14 special operations across four provinces, and deployed 7,560 personnel. A total of 680 people with 61,000 prior convictions were detained, 2,000 mobile phones and 26% more bladed weapons were seized. There were 180 venue inspections.
Impact on Courts and Police
The Minister of Justice drew attention to the structural shortage of judges in Catalonia. Out of 500 new positions nationwide, 91 have been allocated to this region. Another 200 prosecutor positions are expected to be distributed soon, and according to Bolaños, Catalonia will receive a significant share. He also noted that city police can now directly access data on the criminal records of detainees through the unified Interior Ministry system, which 60 municipalities have already joined.
Justice adviser Ramon Espadaler reported that the processing time for expedited cases has been reduced from 18 to 13 months, and for minor offenses—from 8.8 to 2 months. Illa expressed satisfaction with the results and stated that overall security in the region has noticeably improved. According to him, by early 2026, physical crime had fallen by 8%, and digital crime by 2%, equivalent to 9,000 prevented incidents.
Context and details
The plan, launched under the slogan + Seguridad, + convivencia, was initiated at the request of municipalities and based on legislative changes, increased resources, and close coordination among the three levels of government. Authorities emphasize that the goal is not to target specific groups but to break the ‘circle of impunity’ and increase the sense of security among residents. According to the ministry, over the year, the crime rate in Catalonia fell by 4.11%, and by 60% at airports. The authorities also announced their intention to increase the Mossos d’Esquadra force to 25,000 personnel, considering security as part of social policy.
