Catalonia's Interior Minister, Núria Parlon, recently declared the Kanpai plan against repeat offending a "winning strategy" after significant crime reductions across the region. This targeted approach has led to notable drops in property crimes and violent robberies during the first quarter of this year.
Speaking in an interview with 'El Periódico de Catalunya', collected by Europa Press on Saturday, Minister Parlon highlighted the plan's goal. She aims to break the cycle of impunity for criminals and establish Catalonia as a challenging place for illegal activities. Repeat offenders, though only 10% of the total criminal population, are responsible for 39% of all reported crimes.
The Kanpai plan, alongside new legislation against repeat offending, marks a critical turning point. Minister Parlon stated, "We break the circle of impunity also thanks to the work of the courts and the possibility of establishing exclusion orders from areas where they commit crimes, so that criminals feel clearly challenged." These orders prevent known offenders from returning to specific crime hotspots.
Significant Crime Reductions Reported
Official data for the first quarter of this year shows positive trends compared to 2022. Property crimes, which make up 80% of all offences in Catalonia, decreased by 7.1%. Robberies involving violence saw a substantial drop, with 10,277 fewer incidents reported. Additionally, robberies using intimidation fell by 8.1%, and home burglaries reduced by 11.2%.
Despite these encouraging figures, Minister Parlon urged caution. She emphasised the need to consolidate "a structural downward trend, not just the result of specific actions." This long-term perspective aims to ensure lasting improvements in public safety across Barcelona and other Catalan cities.
Kanpai Plan's Targeted Operations
The Kanpai plan allows police to intervene effectively in areas with specific crime problems. For example, operations targeting robberies and thefts on motorways and expressways have resulted in a 37% reduction in these incidents. The Generalitat plans to extend Kanpai operations to public buses, addressing concerns about safety on public transport.
Kanpai operations involve close coordination with other police forces. They also include private security personnel. Minister Parlon explained, "Kanpai devices coordinate with other police forces and are flexible. We share information with other police and set up a strategy, in which we also count on private security, to end a criminal problem that generates insecurity, such as what can happen in public transport." This collaborative approach strengthens security efforts.
The plan operates throughout Catalonia. Many arrests have a strong deterrent effect on potential offenders. While some argue that crime simply moves to other areas when pressure increases, Minister Parlon countered this. She said, "There is always the debate that, when pressure is applied in one place, crime moves to another, but criminals are found in the most populated and most tourist areas." This suggests the plan focuses on high-impact locations.
Expanding Police Presence and Community Trust
Beyond targeted operations, the Generalitat is implementing the Plan Confianza, or 'Trust Plan'. This initiative aims to increase the proximity of police agents to the public. It involves expanding the Mossos d'Esquadra force, Catalonia's autonomous police.
This summer, 1,300 new Mossos d'Esquadra agents will complete their training. They will begin practical assignments across Catalonia, particularly in tourist areas where populations increase significantly. This boost in personnel will provide more resources to address issues of coexistence and civility, enhancing local community safety.
Holistic Approach to Public Security
Minister Parlon stressed that building security extends beyond traditional policing. She outlined a broader vision that includes video surveillance, improved street lighting, and community mediation. These measures aim to create safer urban environments.
She added, "With video surveillance, protection, better street lighting, mediation and community intervention... From Mossos, but with the rest of social and educational agents, we can carry out strategies that are not authoritarian but that work." This approach seeks to involve various social and educational agents. It aims for effective, non-authoritarian security solutions.
The Generalitat remains committed to consolidating these gains. It plans to use both targeted policing strategies and wider community engagement. This ensures long-term public safety and a continued reduction in crime rates across Catalonia, benefiting residents and visitors alike.
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Originally published by Europa Press Barcelona. Read original article.
