Joint Operation Seizes Scooters, Issues Fines

Last night, a joint police operation took place at the border between Badalona and Santa Coloma de Gramenet, involving the Badalona Urban Guard, Santa Coloma Local Police, Mossos d’Esquadra and the National Police. The action targeted criminal use of personal mobility vehicles (PMVs), particularly in violent robberies. According to Diari de Catalunya, 37 identifications were carried out in Badalona, two PMVs were seized for regulatory infractions, and an administrative complaint was filed for disrespect toward officers.

Strict Local Rules Deter Criminal Use

Badalona has implemented one of the strictest municipal PMV regulations in the metropolitan area. Under its new ordinance, which has been in effect for seven months, fines range from €150 to €600 for offences including unlicensed or modified vehicles. The city has issued over 300 fines and seized 250 electric scooters since the rules began, according to Diari de Catalunya. Vehicles are confiscated for reckless riding, excessive speeds, or lack of mandatory insurance.

  • Fines for minor infractions start at €150 in Badalona, compared to €100 in Barcelona.
  • Seized scooters deemed unsafe or illegally modified will be destroyed.
  • Owners must prove ownership and rectify violations to reclaim vehicles.

Cross-Border Policing Enhances Coordination

Since July 2024, police from Badalona, Santa Coloma and Sant Adrià de Besòs have been authorised to operate across municipal boundaries to address shared security threats, as confirmed by the Ajuntament de Santa Coloma de Gramenet. This cross-jurisdictional cooperation aims to close enforcement gaps in border zones.

We take very seriously the fight against those who use scooters not as transport, but as a tool to commit crime and endanger public safety.

The operation reflects a broader strategy by Badalona mayor Xavier Garcia Albiol, who cited a 790% rise in PMV use across the metropolitan area between 2017 and 2023, based on data from the Institut Metròpoli. His administration has combined enforcement with public awareness campaigns in schools and civic centres.

Authorities stress that visible policing and strong regulations must work together to ensure safety and coexistence. No further details on ongoing investigations have been released.

Primary sources: badalona.cat. Reported by barna.news, gramenet.cat, diaricatalunya.cat, bdndigital.cat, lavanguardia.com, elperiodico.com, ajuntamentinforma.gramenet.cat, rtve.es.