El Prat airport thefts have fallen by a dramatic 80% following a comprehensive security crackdown.
According to the latest police data, just 220 criminal incidents were recorded in October 2025, compared to approximately 1,100 during the same month last year.
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This historic drop marks a significant turnaround for an airport that was once described by officers as a “coladero” or sieve for pickpockets.
Multi-Pronged Strategy Cuts El Prat Airport Thefts
The dramatic reduction in El Prat airport thefts is the result of a coordinated strategy combining judicial, technological, and personnel measures. A key breakthrough has been the unprecedented use of restraining orders against repeat offenders. Consequently, since December 2023, courts have issued 59 orders prohibiting known pickpockets from entering the airport premises. Police sources confirm this has had a direct impact, as many habitual offenders can no longer return to the scene after being processed.
Furthermore, the Catalan police force, the Mossos d’Esquadra, has seen its airport presence increase by 44%. The number of officers dedicated to ground security has risen from 137 to 197. Additionally, airport operator Aena has invested heavily in surveillance, boosting the number of cameras from 3,000 to around 4,500. These new cameras offer superior resolution, allowing officers to identify suspects with remarkable clarity.
Another new layer of security involves access control at terminal entrances. Private security personnel now request boarding passes from those entering, aiming to deter non-travellers. While its effectiveness is acknowledged as limited, authorities say its deterrent effect has contributed to the overall decline. However, this measure has also drawn criticism for restricting access to vulnerable individuals, including people experiencing homelessness who previously sought shelter in the climate-controlled terminals.
The success in tackling persistent theft has freed up police resources to address other security concerns. Officers now have more capacity to focus on issues like the pursuit of illegal taxi drivers and the exploitation of irregular transport workers. This shift in focus reflects a broader trend in Barcelona where authorities are targeting repeat offenders in public spaces.
Looking ahead, police are confident the downward trend in El Prat airport thefts will continue. They aim to push the monthly figure below 200 incidents this December, despite the high passenger volumes of the festive season. This ambition underscores a new sense of control in a facility that handles over 53 million passengers annually—a population larger than many major cities.
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