Ceuta, Spain: group of migrants beat homeless man, eight arrested after violent robberies

A group of migrants assaulted and robbed a homeless man in **Ceuta**, an incident that ended with the attackers being detained and has raised concern among local residents.

## The attack in central Ceuta

A man who was begging near the Government Delegation (the Spanish central government's office) in **Ceuta** was brutally assaulted and robbed by a group of migrants. The incident took place in front of public buildings, including the Government Delegation and the Treasury Delegation, as well as the courts. Local witnesses said the homeless man, well known in the area, was set upon by the attackers, who stole his belongings after giving him a severe beating. Residents, alerted by the screams of a woman who witnessed the scene, quickly intervened and held the attackers until security forces arrived.

## A context of growing insecurity

The incident comes amid rising crime in **Ceuta** trinc the mass arrival of migrants on July 30. Local authorities and residents have expressed concern about the increase in assaults and robberies, which appear to be overwhelming the response capacity of the Spanish state security forces. Other incidents have been reported, such as the theft of parts from a mechanic's workshop at the Port of Ceuta by two sub-Saharan migrants, pointing to a worrying trend.

The area where the assault took place, the Poniente quay, has been identified as the planned site for a new camp to house hundreds of migrants. Many of them, according to reports, currently live in makeshift settlements built with stolen materials, which have become hotspots for fires in the city. The situation is creating a growing sense of insecurity and unease among the local population.