The People's Party (PP) in Catalonia has demanded a significant increase in local police presence across the region, proposing a €150 million fund to strengthen forces in smaller municipalities. This initiative, approved on 22 April, aims to support towns facing budgetary or technical difficulties in hiring more officers.

PP Deputy Alberto Vilagrasa and Ripollet spokesperson Víctor Diéguez made the announcement in Ripollet, a municipality in the Barcelona metropolitan area home to over 39,000 residents. They spoke in front of the Local Police station on Balmes Street. Mr Vilagrasa defended the proposal, which seeks to create a €150 million fund to improve the resources of local police and urban guards.

“This fund is not for large councils like Barcelona or L'Hospitalet,” Mr Vilagrasa stated, “but for other councils that have budgetary or technical needs to hire more police.” He also argued that “both the local police and the Mossos d'Esquadra must be on the street” and carry out “neighbourhood policing.”

Ripollet Crime Statistics Highlight Concerns

Mr Diéguez asserted that Ripollet faces “a very serious security problem.” He accused the local government of “looking the other way.” The PP specifically highlighted the rise in burglaries in the town. Burglaries in homes, businesses, and other premises in Ripollet increased by 37.6%, from 85 cases in 2024 to 117 in 2025. This figure causes “much concern,” according to Mr Vilagrasa, who concluded, “Against crime, we must act with firmness and forcefulness.”

Residential burglaries alone saw a 50% increase, rising from 54 to 81 cases during the same period. Additionally, Ripollet recorded 45 robberies with violence and intimidation in 2025. The municipality also registered 321 thefts that year. The PP has called for an increase in officer numbers, covering vacancies, and addressing retirements within the Local Police force to meet required staffing ratios.

Catalonia's Local Police Funding Debate

Despite these specific increases, the Ministry of Interior's crime balance shows a broader trend. Ripollet closed 2025 with 1,570 criminal offences, a 6.9% decrease from the previous year. However, the PP's focus remains on specific crime categories and the need for more visible policing. The proposal for a dedicated fund for local police forces now moves forward after its approval in the Interior and Public Security Commission, sparking further debate on resource allocation for public safety across Catalonia.

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Originally published by Ripollet. Read original article.