The Barcelona City Council has allocated over €8,000 to purchase seven high-security safes for the Guàrdia Urbana, the city’s municipal police force. These safes will securely store confiscated narcotics, enhancing evidence management and protecting officers.
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According to a tender justification report cited by Tot Barcelona, the city’s Management of the Area of Security, Prevention and Coexistence approved the budget of €8,185.15 on 18 December. This procurement aims to “reduce the inconveniences that may be caused by the handling of narcotic substances” and ensure their secure storage within police premises.
Bespoke Security Features
The tender document outlines precise technical specifications for the seven safes. Each unit must be constructed from reinforced steel, featuring a minimum door thickness of 10mm and a body thickness of 5mm. Security is further bolstered by locking bolts at least 15mm in diameter and a double-bitted key mechanism.
A key design feature is the ‘letterbox’ style deposit slot, engineered to prevent item extraction once placed inside. The safes will measure approximately 70 cm high, 34 cm wide, and 38 cm deep, with an internal volume of 45 to 50 litres and a weight of 70 to 80 kilograms. Each will also contain a removable internal tray, positioned midway for organisational purposes.
Strategic Distribution Across the City
Instead of concentrating them in one location, the safes will be strategically distributed across several Urban Guard facilities. Three will be installed at district police stations in Les Corts, Gràcia, and Horta-Guinardó.
Additionally, two safes are designated for specialised units: the Emergency and Proximity Reinforcement Unit (UREP) and the Central Traffic Unit (UCT). The final two units will be located at the main Guàrdia Urbana Warehouse. This distribution ensures officers across various districts and specialised divisions have secure facilities for evidence, especially given the frequent discovery of drugs during routine patrols and vehicle checks.
This investment highlights the Barcelona authorities’ proactive approach to professionalise sensitive evidence handling. By securing narcotics immediately upon seizure in tamper-proof safes, the Urban Guard aims to protect the chain of custody for legal proceedings and safeguard its agents from risks associated with storing such substances on-site.
