Manresa, in Central Catalonia, is dealing with public safety concerns and rising anti-immigrant sentiment after a street brawl in September 2023 prompted residents to call for action from the municipal government. The city has nearly 80,000 residents, and about 22% are foreign-born.
In response, the council led by Republican mayor Marc Aloy, with ERC, PSC and Impulsem Manresa, introduced measures including more police officers and security cameras. It also set up a Safety, Civility and Coexistence Board with municipal groups and local associations. According to government data, violent robberies fell by 40% and property occupations by 30% by October 2025.
Some residents still say they do not feel safer. Jaume Canudes, president of the Manresa Federation of Neighbourhood Associations, told ARA: “There is still a feeling of crime, even if they tell you everything is under control.” Junts per Manresa says the measures are not enough. Ramon Bacardit said the city needs 136 stable local police officers and more investment in facilities such as a new police station.
Far-right voices have also shaped the debate. Sergi Perramon, from Avenç Nacionalista, a party allied with Junts for next year’s municipal elections, has called for more firmness and linked crime to immigration. He previously led the far-right Front Nacional in 2023. Junts and Avenç Nacionalista also want tighter control of the municipal register and changes to social services, including a single register of aid.
The CUP rejects both the council’s approach and the proposals from Bacardit and Perramon. Councillor Roser Alegre said security measures are visible and immediate, but the causes remain. She argues for social policies that tackle inequality, while the PAHC del Bages points to housing vulnerability in the Old Quarter, where it says there are more than 7,000 empty flats. The council plans to invest €25 million from the Neighbourhood Plan and build 120 social housing units.
Mayor Aloy has defended the council’s response and warned against xenophobic narratives. He said the far right “points to immigration everywhere it looks for culprits” and creates “false narratives”. He cited 1,500 registration inspections in 2025 and said cohesion depends on schools, sport and culture. The council has also increased sports scholarships and introduced Catalan lessons for non-Catalan-speaking shopkeepers. Anti-racist group Mai Més has organised protests and a first anti-racist race, while a recent racist attack in the city led to an institutional condemnation by all council groups except Vox. More Catalonia news
