Mataró, in the Maresme, saw a night of unrest in the Cerdanyola neighbourhood after a family eviction on Tuesday. Four minors were among five people arrested following disturbances that included burning containers and objects thrown at police.
According to Mossos d'Esquadra sources, officers reinforced their presence in Cerdanyola after the eviction, which had already led to three minors being arrested for throwing objects, including paving stones, at police lines. Overnight, a group of young people set fire to around ten containers and threw stones and incendiary devices at officers.
The five arrests included four minors for public disorder and one adult for assault on authority figures. Units from the Mossos' mobile brigade and ARRO were deployed to restore order.
Firefighters from the Generalitat responded to nine container fires and a bush fire in Can Boada Park, where 70 square metres of vegetation burned. Firefighting operations took place between 9:19pm and 12:17am.
Mataró mayor David Bote said security in Cerdanyola would be reinforced to prevent further disturbances. He said he understood residents' concerns, but added that violence has no justification. He also called for reflection on the attitudes of young people involved in social struggles.
The local Housing Union criticised the mayor's response, saying it was criminalising and did not address the housing crisis in that part of the city. A year ago, the same neighbourhood saw several nights of disturbances after a police-foiled attempt to occupy a building. More local news