Barcelona NO GO ZONE - Hilo oficial

Zé Pequenho

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Third homicide in Barcelona in just over a week

Third homicide in Barcelona in just over a week

Three people have met a violent death in Barcelona in just over a week. The third homicide took place on Friday when a man was stabbed to death during a street fight in the early hours of the morning in Vilapicina, a neighborhood in the Nou Barris district of the city.

An eyewitness called the emergency services and said there was a man on the street bleeding heavily. This witness explained that the man had got into a fight with another person who stabbed him and fled the scene. The victim, a 47-year-old man from the Dominican Republic, was picked up by an ambulance but died on the way to Vall d’Hebron hospital. The Catalan police force, the Mossos d’Esquadra, are still searching for the suspect.

On Thursday night, police officers arrested two people for a knife attack in the Gunardó neighborhood. According to police sources, a fight broke out among several people and one was stabbed in the kidney.

The third killing comes a day after a top Barcelona official admitted that the city is experiencing “a security crisis.” Since the beginning of the year, 12 people have been violently killed in Barcelona, according to an EL PAÍS count based on reports from the Catalan police. In all of 2018, there were 10 homicides in the Catalan capital.

Homicides in Barcelona
In February, a man died in hospital after getting into a fight near a pub in Poble Nou. The victim, who hailed from Dominican Republic, had clashed with a group of people from Pakistan. The Catalan police have identified the perpetrator. Authorities suspect the fight was over drug dealing.

- On May 17, a Swedish man was shot inside an apartment in the Eixample neighborhood. Inside the apartment, police found a bag with what they suspect was cocaine. Police continue to look for the perpetrator, who is believed to be a hitman.

- On May 21, a 17-year-old woman was killed by a man on Mistral avenue in Eixample. The victim did not know the killer, who allegedly attacked her after pushing her into the bar he managed. The suspect is in custody.

- On June 27, a high-ranking official in the South Korean government, died after being the victim of a violent robbery in Barcelona. The woman fell and hit her head on the pavement. She died in hospital, three days after being admitted. The Catalan police are still searching for the thief.

- On July 6, a man was shot to death outside a hair salon in the Sarrià neighborhood, where he had gone to pick up his partner after work. Police continue to look for the perpetrator, who is thought to be a hitman.

- On July 10, a man died after getting into a fight in front of an internet cafe in the Eixample neighborhood. The fight involved two men, one of whom died, and a woman. Police believe the dispute was over a romantic conflict. The woman and the man who survived were arrested.

- On July 12, a man was shot in the PobleNou neighborhood by a person on an electric scooter. The 36-year-old victim died in hospital days later. The Catalan police are searching for the perpetrator and suspect the murder was to settle scores over a drug trafficking deal.

- On July 25, a man died from stab wounds after getting involved in a fight in the El Raval neighborhood. The perpetrator, who knew the victim, handed himself over to the police a few days later.

- On July 28, a 25-year-old Chinese man died after a fight outside a nightclub in Port Olímpic. Police are searching for the perpetrators, who are believed to be Russian. The fight broke out over a dispute that took place inside the club.

- On August 8, a man died in a fight in front of a drug rehab center, very close to the Arc de Triomf in Barcelona. Officers arrested three people who were involved in the murder, and also users of the center.

- On August 12, police found the body of a 46-year-old Swedish woman on Can Tunis street in Barcelona. According to the autopsy, the woman died from blows to the head and strangulation. Police continue to look for the perpetrator or perpetrators.

English version by Melissa Kitson.

Third homicide in Barcelona in just over a week
 

Zé Pequenho

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Is Barcelona the Pickpocket Capital of the World?

Barcelona is one of Europe's most enticing cities for culture, architecture and food, however it's also known for its pickpockets. Here are some tips to keep your valuables safe.


Spain's soaring unemployment rate, tourism and scarce legal deterrent for petty crimes has created some kind of larcenous perfect storm.


There's no need to go and cancel your flights. As long as you can keep a hand on your wallet you have nothing to antiestéticar in Barcelona.


Spotting a Pickpocket

These crooks often work in pairs or groups, preying on distracted and disoriented tourists. One captures your attention while the other rifles through your bag or slips your phone from your pocket.


It might seem rude or culturally insensitive to question odd or friendly behaviour from strangers while you're traveling but this is the attitude pickpockets rely on.


You don't want to be constantly wound up and paranoid when you're trying to relax while on holiday. But, if you do feel suspicious, it's easy to brush your hand over your wallet, pull your bag closer or have a quick look over your shoulder. Don't be afraid to confront anyone amowing you either, although there's no need to get aggressive. If the thieves know you're onto them, they'll quickly skulk off to await an easier target.


Forewarned is forearmed so if you can recognise a dodgy character or situation you'll know when to be alert and then you can spend the rest of your holiday being pleasantly distracted.

Where They Strike

Pickpockets congregate around attractions and transport hubs. Obviously you can't avoid these places completely, but it's good to know when you really need to be on your toes.


Las Ramblas is one of Barcelona's most popular attractions, with thousands of visitors and locals wandering, shopping, eating and soaking up the atmosphere. However the boulevard is also notorious for thieves and scammers. During the daytime, take care when watching the human statues or street performers, as they may be working alongside pickpockets in the crowd. Avoid the gaming tables, almost everyone here is on the act.


The south end of Las Ramblas gets a little seedy at night, with prostitutes and drug dealers aplenty. It's probably best to avoid it at night.


Plaza Catalunya, at the northern end of Las Ramblas, is another place to watch your valuables. To the south, beware in Barrio Gotico, one of the city's historic districts. During the day it's easy to find yourself isolated in the area's narrow, winding streets.


The popularity of the Picasso Museum makes Carrer Montcada a popular hangout for thieves. The same goes for Carrer de la Princesa and the sidestreets near Mercat Santa Caterina.


Stick to the main roads when making your way to or from Rambla Del Raval as some of the streets near this popular nightspot are a little dodgy.


Be aware of your surroundings when you're arriving or departing the city, particuarly if you are carrying your luggage and may be a little stressed or disoriented. Sants and Franca train stations, Estacio del Nord bus station and the Cercanias Metro line, which goes out to the airport, are all prowled by pickpockets.

Protecting Your Belongings

  • Don't dress like a traveler. That's an instant advertisement to any pickpocket.
  • Brightly coloured clothes aren't big in Barcelona and will make you stick out like a sore thumb. Subdued, autumnal colours make up the locals' preferred palette.
  • Barcelona is a seaside town but there are two very different dress codes for the beach and the city. There's plenty on show at the shore but don't wear your board shorts and bikinis too far from the water.
  • Despite the declining influence of the Catholic Church, Barcelona's style is still quite conservative. Fitted clothes are fine but female travellers should avoid overly revealing garments. Miniskirts and low-cut tops will draw the attention of pickpockets, but also some disapproving glares.
  • Jewellery is like a red rag to a bull for thieves. Don't go out dripping in gold or silver.
  • Bum bags are right out. Not only do they scream 'I'm a tourist, rob me', but they're very easy to rip or cut off.
  • Handbags with long straps are also easy for grab and run thieves, who sometimes zoom by on bikes. Try to wear any bags across your body, rather than just over the shoulder, making it more difficult to wrestle them from you. At the very least, tie some knots in any long, thin straps to make them a little shorter and stronger.
Extra Tips to Keep You Safe

The way you behave is perhaps even more important than how you dress in avoiding criminal attention. A really sharp eye will be able to pick you as a tourist no matter how you're dressed but you can still show you're no easy pickings.


Walk with purpose and try to look and try to avoid that lost lamb look, even if you have no idea where you are. If your group has to look at the map, try and find a shop, cafe or an alcove to do it in, rather than standing around in a circle of confusion. Asking directions from a shopkeeper or waiter actually often yields a clearer route than consulting your map.


Even if you are the victim of theft you should be able to minimise your losses by keeping your most valuable items close to you. Don't keep any prized possessions in handbags or backpacks. Only take out as much cash as you need that day, along with a photocopy of your passport. Keep the rest and the real deal safely locked up at your accommodation.


Carry your wallet in your front pocket and try to get into the habit of brushing your hand over it every so often. This will make you feel more secure as well as letting any scoping pickpockets know you're alert to their presence.

What to Do if You Get Pickpocketed

If a pickpocket does manage to pull one over on you, don't panic. Don't spend time trying to tracing your steps to track down the perpetrator either. You can be sure they've either already vanished or passed on your stuff.


It's better to focus this frustrated energy into dealing with the practicalities of the situation. Your first priority should be to cancel your cards. Your bank should have a 24-hour emergency contact number for this sort of situation. It's wise to keep this written down somewhere. Cancelling your phone account is also a priority, if you're not using a prepaid service.


Getting a replacement passport and cancelling the old one is integral if you're planning on going home at any point. You can do this at your consulate but you'll to get a police report first.


You should report all robberies to the police. If you visit one of the inner city police stations for this purpose you're sure to run into plenty of other cheated tourists. This might make you feel a little better about falling victim, but the resulting lines can be frustrating.


There are a few ways to make this experience a little less excruciating. Firstly, Barcelona's police aren't necessarily multi-lingual. They should have no trouble guessing why you're there but just in case, the word for police report is denuncia. Try and prepare all the details, serial numbers, passport number, distinctive markings etc, of anything that has been stolen. Don't waste time talking about the photos that were on your camera, they would have been deleted almost immediately.


Give a clear, concise explanation of theft and where it occurred, or where you think it occurred.


In June 2011 the Hotel Association of Barcelona began trialling a system in which tourists can make police reports from their accommodation. It's only currently available in a few hotels, but if it works to streamline the reporting process it could be widely available. Check with your hotel when you arrive.

Common Scams in Barcelona
The Flower Scam

One of the most popular traps involves a couple of unassuming ladies offering you a flower. Don't take it. The flower is just an excuse for the women to get close and get into your pockets. If you do take it, you'll soon learn it wasn't a gift. The women will demand money for it, pestering you for some tiny amount. When you decide it's worth un centavo to be rid of them, they will kindly reach into your wallet to help you locate the right coin, simultaneously clearing out all your notes.


Obviously letting a stranger put their hands in your wallet isn't a great idea but these sneaky couples can be very persistent. Even if you don't take the flower they may grab your hands, urging you to accept it, all the while getting themselves closer to you and your valuables. The best approach is not to acknowledge them at all, don't slow down or stop. If you do end up with a flower in your hand just drop it on the ground and continue on your way. You might cop a few curses but at least you'll keep you stuff.

The Pigeon Poo Scam

Another classic trick is for someone to spray paint or milk onto your clothes. A kindly local will quickly approach to tell you about your unfortunate accident and offer to help clean you up. The aim is for you to drop what you're carrying as you attend to the stain, or for your helpful friend to get his hands into your pockets. If you do find yourself the target of this messy method, politely but firmly refuse any assistance. Keep a tight hold on your possessions and walk away quickly. You can clean yourself up later.

The Crowded Metro Scam

This trick involves a group of thieves who'll push in front of you as you try to get on or off a train. They create some delay at the door, meaning their buddies, who've slipped in behind, have an excuse to bump into you. They also work on a divide and conquer principle, trying to separate potential victims from their travelling buddies. You should be alert whenever you're taking crowded public transport, but if you find someone try to squeeze between you and your friends chances are your possessions are in jeopardy.


A variation of these techniques can happen at any bottleneck or queue, like a shop entrance, bus line or escalator. The thieves will use any means to hold you up, from dropping coins to having someone fall at your feet. If you bend to help pick up the coins or the clumsy stranger you present your bag and back pockets to the waiting cutpurse. It may seem cruel but don't be afraid to push past and get yourself out of danger.

The Clipboard Cover Scam

Someone holding a clipboard will approach you, asking you to complete a survey of some sort. They'll shove the sheet into you face, obscuring your view and allowing them, or an accomplice to dip into your bag.


Again, there are plenty of adaptations. People asking directions hold up maps, nightclub promoters wave posters and scalpers flash phony tickets in front of your eyes. They all serve the same sinister purpose, so don't let yourself be fooled.

The Devious Diners Scam

Other thieves roam the outdoor dining areas of Barcelona's many restaurants, looking for any unwatched bags or cameras. These crooks come in all shapes and sizes. Some lone opportunists will just pick off whatever they can find, others work in groups and have elaborate methods to distract diners.


One story we've heard involves a raucous group of well-dressed young girls sitting down at a table next to some travellers. They made a lot of noise but didn't order and soon they all stood up and left. The waiter returned, saw they were gone and instantly told his unsuspecting patrons to check their bags, which were all gone.


There are similar reports about beggars approaching tables and insisting on a donation, even getting abusive. Anything to attract your attention while an accomplice slips away with your stuff.


Don't leave bags at your feet at restaurants and don't put your jacket over the back of the chair, especially not if there's anything in the pockets. It might be slightly uncomfortable but it's best to keep your things in your lap.

The Fake Policemen Scam

These guys are closer to conmen than pickpockets but the end result is the same. It starts when someone pretending to be a fellow tourist approaches and asks for directions or advice. Even if you just wave them off, another group of men will then appear, flashing IDs and claiming to be undercover police. They'll say they've been tracking your newfound friend, on drugs or terrorism charges or something equally intimidating, and that you're now a suspect by association.


Demanding identification of some sort, they'll try and get you to hand over your passport or wallet. They might just split with your things or they might be subtler and try to pocket the cards and cash. Some people have even reported being told to give up their PIN as the 'cop' has a phony conversation with HQ on the telephone to confirm their identity.


Don't cave into these intimidation tactics. Don't risk provoking the gang but ask to have a closer look at their badges. Ask to walk to the nearest police station before handing over any documentation. That should be enough to put these scammers off.

Variations on a Theme

There are hundreds of variations on these popular techniques, but they all boil down to one main element: misdirection.


Barcelona's pickpockets are very fast and very skilled but they are also very predictable. When know what cues to look for it should be easy to spot and avoid crooks. If something feels a little amiss, it probably is.


Barcelona's residents are very welcoming and helpful, but they are also quite reserved, compared to southern Spaniards at least. They will gladly offer you directions if you ask, but it's unlikely they'll try to initiate a conversation out of the blue. They definitely won't try to touch you.
 

Zé Pequenho

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Barcelona authorities admit city is suffering from “security crisis”

There have been seven violent deaths and three near-fatal stabbings in a short space of time


A top Barcelona official has admitted that the city is experiencing “a security crisis” after seven violent deaths and three near-fatal stabbings were reported in a short space of time.

Albert Batlle, the deputy mayor in charge of security affairs, said in a news conference that the government of the leftist Ada Colau will roll out more regional and local police officers to fight crime more effectively.

Deputy Mayor Albert Batlle recommends “intensifying security policies” but also working on “social policies”

Batlle, a former director general of the Catalan police force, the Mossos d’Esquadra, said that the rising crime rate in Barcelona should be addressed in a “serene and responsible” manner. He recommended “intensifying security policies” but also working on “social policies.”

There have been seven violent deaths in the space of 40 days, caused by fights and shootouts. There were also three stabbings in a little over 24 hours.

So far this year, 11 people have been violently killed in the Catalan capital, a figure that already surpasses the mark for all of last year (10), according to this newspaper’s calculations.

Statistics show a nine percent global rise in crime in Barcelona so far this year. Violent robberies have experienced a 30% increase, although Batlle noted that “Barcelona continues to be a safe city compared with Paris, London or Rome.”
The official added that “measures are being taken to revert the situation” in Barcelona and fight the rise in crime.

English version by Susana Urra.

Barcelona authorities admit city is suffering from “security crisis”
 

Zé Pequenho

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Spain’s anti-tourist movement is reaching boiling point

BEHIND the beauty of this popular European city, a bitter battle is being waged and visitors are no longer welcome.


SPAIN’S idyllic beaches, bold architecture, vibrant night-life and colourful culture draws millions of tourists every year. But behind the paradise a hostile battle is bubbling to the surface.

And we are at the centre of it.
Many Spaniards are growing frustrated by armies of tourists taking over town centres, disrupting the lives of locals and putting a strain on resources.
In 2016, some 75.3 million people visited the European country. That grossly outnumbers the country’s actual residents, of which there are about 46 million.
In fact, Spain has broken its own tourist number records each year for the past four years and currently holds the title of the world’s third most popular tourist destination, according to the UN’s World Tourism Organisation.
And while tourism represents some 11 per cent of Spain’s 1.2 trillion euro ($1.8 trillion) gross domestic product, an anti-tourism movement has been simmering among locals for quite some time. But it appears the anger may now be close to boiling point, with frustration turning into actual violence.

Last week there was a troubling assault on an open-top tourist bus in one of Spain’s most popular tourist destinations, Barcelona, as it pulled up outside the Camp Nou stadium of the city’s iconic football team FC Barcelona.

Four masked assailants slashed the vehicle’s tyres and scrawled “El Turisme Mata Els Barris” in Catalan — which translates as “Tourism Kills Neighbourhoods” — onto the bus windscreen.

At the time, many of the visitors on board that bus antiestéticared they were actually caught in a terrorist attack rather than what turned out to be an anti-tourist protest.


“I really thought it was a terrorist attack and my number was up,” British visitor Andrew Carey of Bridgend, who was on the bus with his wife Natalie, told the Telegraph.

“Masked men surrounded the bus and began shouting. We were getting ready for someone to come up the stairs with a knife or a gun. It was a relief that they just sprayed graffiti.

“It was very frightening.”

And just days later the tyres of rental bicycles for tourists were slashed.

Arran, the youth wing of the radical pro-independence political party CUP (Popular Unity Candidacy), has claimed responsibility for the anti-tourism campaign. They consider themselves activists fighting the rise of mass tourism in Spain.

At the core of the group’s problem with mass tourism is the belief that it creates an economic divide for the working classes, who are unable to afford apartment rentals because they are being forced out of the market by holiday-makers and inflated prices.

Accompanying a video of the Barcelona bicycle slashing that the group posted on Twitter, they wrote: “We are fed up with the occupation by tourist companies of the public space of the neighbourhood.” The account is littered with other similar anti-tourism sentiments.

Ja n'estem fartes de l'ocupació per part d'empreses turístiques de l'espai públic del barri, ACTUEM!
UNEIX-TE AL COMBAT✊ pic.twitter.com/PG7Ru3xljY
— Arran del Poblenou (@ArranP9) July 31, 2017
Sembla que hi ha una nova atracció turística a #Vallcarca. #NoÉsTurismefòbia#LluitaDeClasses pic.twitter.com/a0sAGE6JKW
— Heura Negra (@AsLLibVallcarca) August 2, 2017
A spokesman for Arran said the vandalism in Barcelona was an act of “self defence”.

“The mass tourism in Catalonia is generating huge social inequality,” a spokesman told IBTimes UK.

“Thousands of people are forced to leave their neighbourhoods and thousands more are forced into very bad working conditions.”

It is estimated that Barcelona pulls in around 32 million visitors a year, including cruise passengers and day-trippers. That’s 20 times the city’s population of just 1.6 million.

And Arran aren’t the only ones fighting against it in Barcelona. The anti-tourist movement gained momentum when in June 2015, the city got a new mayor, Ada Colau — an outspoken critic of tourists.

After being elected to office, Colau, who is a member of the Barcelona in Common party, said she antiestéticared Barcelona would “end up like Venice”, a city in which tourism has been blamed for driving locals away.

She then introduced tourist caps, including on the city’s famous La Boqueria markets, and put a one-year moratorium on new licences for hotel and tourist apartments in the city.

And Barcelona also isn’t the only Spanish city in the fight either. Arran has fought back in the Spanish island of Majorca.

Members of the group recently stormed a restaurant in Palma, a resort city and the capital of Majorca.

They threw confetti and set off smoke bombs at a the Mar de Nudos restaurant, and displayed a poster which read: “Tourism Kills Majorca”, according to The Times.

Last year, Palma was also branded with unwelcoming messages to incoming tourists. On an old brick wall in a town centre, the words “Tourist go home” were emblazoned in bright red spray-paint. Another message on another wall, this one in black, read: “Tourist you are the terrorist”.

Graffiti reading “Tourist you are the terrorist” in Palma, Majorca, on May 23, 2016. Picture: Enrique Calvo/Reuters

Graffiti reading “Tourist you are the terrorist” in Palma, Majorca, on May 23, 2016. Picture: Enrique alopécico/ReutersSource:Reuters

Ibiza and Minorca, which make up the Spanish Balearic Islands with Majorca, have also expressed concerns over a rising number of visitors.

In the popular party island of Ibiza, which is prone to drought, water reserves are dwindling. In rural Menorca there are antiestéticars natural attractions could be ruined by tourism.

To try and combat the problems mass tourism can bring, the Balearic Islands implemented a Sustainable Tourism Tax in July 2016 — an additional payment of up to two euros ($AU3) for each overnight stay.

Back in Barcelona, Colau condemned the attack on the tour bus by tweeting that “protesting against tourism can never be about intimidating people or damaging facilities”.

But Laura Flores, a spokesman for Arran, said that the group’s vandalism is “a response to the violence we face every day. The street must be allowed to speak; it’s the only place where we can fight,” she said, according to The Guardian.

Read more: Barcelona terror attack sees at least 13 people killed at iconic Las Ramblas tourist hotspot in Spain
 

Zé Pequenho

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Una brutal paliza en el Raval aviva el debate sobre la imagen de Barcelona
 

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Pelea entre Nazis y AntiFascistas ( La Rambla de Barcelona ) No Pasarán
 

Zé Pequenho

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Usuarios del Metro de Barcelona le dan una Paliza a carterista,Rescatado por Vigilantes de Seguridad