Police in Barcelona have arrested ten individuals and charged nine others in connection with extensive graffiti damage to trains across Catalonia, valued at €377,000. The arrests, made on 16 April in Barcelona, conclude an investigation that has resolved 115 crimes related to graffiti damage on railway infrastructure.
Among those identified are individuals new to such investigations, alongside others previously investigated and charged for similar incidents in 2023 and 2024. Most of the implicated individuals are repeat offenders with prior records for graffiti-related damage or crimes against property, including theft and robbery.
One of the ten arrested also had a record for assaulting authority figures, including both Mossos d'Esquadra and local police officers. The investigation began after repeated graffiti incidents on trains operated by Renfe, FGC, and TMB were analysed.
Tackling Train Vandalism
The offenders illegally entered railway facilities to create large-scale graffiti on parked trains. In recent months, the Mossos d'Esquadra have increased preventative measures at various stations and expanded teams dedicated to analysing and preventing railway incidents.
Under 'Operation Iris', officers have been deployed across several municipalities. This includes specific patrols and coordination with security services from Renfe and Adif. The police have also used a Drone Unit to identify vulnerable points in the railway network.
Authorities continue to monitor railway infrastructure for further incidents and plan to maintain increased surveillance to deter future acts of vandalism.
