A senior commissioner of the Mossos d’Esquadra, Catalonia’s regional police force, has ignited a political and professional firestorm after making public statements that appeared to downplay the severity of illegal property occupation, or okupación, in the region.
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The remarks have drawn sharp criticism from both political opponents and a former head of the police force, who argue that the comments dangerously minimise a crime that affects thousands of property owners and communities across Catalonia, the Spanish region with the highest incidence of squatting.
A Contentious Issue
The issue of squatting is a deeply polarising topic in Catalonia, set against a backdrop of a severe housing crisis, particularly in Barcelona and its metropolitan area, where rental prices have soared. The region leads Spain in squatting incidents, with official figures for 2025 showing 5,044 consummated occupations and another 2,066 attempts, as first reported by ABC Cataluña. This reality makes any official statement on the matter highly scrutinised.
It is within this tense climate that Alícia Moriana, an executive deputy chief of the Mossos d’Esquadra, made her controversial assessment during an interview on the Catalan public television channel TV3 (3Cat).
The Commissioner’s Comments
In an effort to contextualise the problem, Moriana presented statistics suggesting the issue is often misperceived by the public. “We find that 96% of squatting cases are in empty spaces,” she stated. “Furthermore, 80% of these cases involve properties owned by large holders and investment funds.”
Moriana also sought to reassure viewers about the most feared form of squatting: home invasion of a primary residence. “To my knowledge,” she added, “there has not been any case of home invasion that has caused a situation that could not be resolved.” She claimed that initial police and judicial actions are “practically immediate,” though she conceded this was not always the case for second homes.
Sharp Rebuke from Politics and Police Ranks
The commissioner’s attempt to frame the issue statistically backfired, provoking immediate condemnation. Josep Maria Cruset, a Member of Parliament for the Junts party in the Spanish Congress, labelled the remarks irresponsible.
“Well then, those who live next to any of these 96% of squatted homes will surely be much calmer knowing they were empty flats,” he wrote sarcastically on X. Cruset directed further criticism at the regional government led by Salvador Illa, stating, “When you finish destroying the housing market, at least apologise for what you are doing. Irresponsible.”
Perhaps more damaging was the criticism from within the Mossos’ own ranks. Eduard Sallent, a fellow commissioner and the former head of the force who recently requested a leave of absence, publicly lamented the stance.
“The problem of squatting is not (only) home invasion, but the usurpation of real estate,” Sallent wrote. “The fact that 96% are in empty flats does not stop it from being a crime.”
Sallent stressed the wider impact of the crime. “The main victim is the owner, and often also the neighbourhood communities who suffer from noise, insecurity, and degradation. Police neutrality implies not making distinctions between victims based on who is harmed. Prevention is not alarmism.”
Data vs. Perception
At the heart of the debate is the distinction in Spanish law between allanamiento de morada (trespassing or home invasion of an inhabited dwelling) and usurpación (the occupation of an empty or unused property). While the former allows for immediate eviction, the latter requires a lengthy and often frustrating legal process for owners.
Moriana’s statistics focus on reassuring the public that their primary homes are largely safe, pointing the finger at large corporate landlords. However, critics like Sallent and Cruset argue this dismisses the property rights of all owners and ignores the significant negative impact that squatted properties, even empty ones, have on the safety and quality of life in surrounding communities.
The controversy underscores the challenge for law enforcement in communicating complex social issues. While the Mossos d’Esquadra are frequently involved in high-profile operations, from raids on international drug rings to managing public order, statements on sensitive topics like housing can quickly draw the force into political crossfire.
