In Catalonia, ten of the most populated cities, mainly in the Barcelona area, are investing in new or refurbished local police stations. Five of the projects already total €37.9 million, with local councils saying the aim is to improve security and give police better working conditions.

Santa Coloma de Gramenet is leading the list with a new Local Police macro-station costing €14 million and covering 6,500 square metres. Work began in February 2024 with a time capsule ceremony, and the building is expected to be operational by early 2027. Mayor Mireia González said the project is about giving police better conditions to do their work and better protect residents.

Other municipalities involved include L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Terrassa, Cornellà de Llobregat, Esplugues de Llobregat and Castelldefels. Several of the new centres are planned as mixed stations, shared by Local Police and Mossos d'Esquadra, and in L'Hospitalet also with the National Police.

The investment comes as public concern about insecurity remains high. Daniel Limones, director general of coordination of Local Police at the Generalitat's Interior Department, said the closeness of Local Police to residents is one of the issues that most concerns the interior minister and mayors.

In Esplugues de Llobregat, work is under way on a new €8 million station in the Montesa neighbourhood, where housing development is growing. The 4,000 square metre building will include public service areas, operational rooms, training spaces and a permanent road safety education circuit for children. It is due to be completed by mid-2027.

Elsewhere, Tarragona plans a mixed station for Mossos d'Esquadra and Local Police by late 2028 in Plaça Imperial Tarraco, with an 812 square metre facility budgeted at €1.6 million. Terrassa plans a mixed station on the former courthouses site on Rambla de Egara, with construction due to start in 2028 and a budget of €9 million. Vilanova i la Geltrú, Castelldefels, Sant Cugat del Vallès, Badalona, Rubí and El Prat de Llobregat are also moving ahead with new builds or renovations.

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