Quick Response Thwarts Two Squat Attempts

A joint operation between the Santa Coloma de Gramenet Local Police and the Mossos d'Esquadra has prevented two attempted illegal occupations in the city within recent hours. The swift interventions followed reports from residents who noticed suspicious activity at two separate properties, both previously unoccupied. In the first case, officers arrived to find individuals moving furniture into a flat in an apparent attempt to simulate residency and consolidate an illegal occupation. The presence of law enforcement stopped the process immediately, allowing for the identification of all individuals involved and the recovery of the property the same day.

Prevention, coordination, and rapid response are fundamental tools for protecting properties.

In the second incident, patrols responded to a reported intrusion at another property. Upon arrival and confirmation of unauthorised entry, police identified those inside and informed them of the criminal and judicial consequences they faced. The individuals then chose to leave the property voluntarily.

City Reinforces Anti-Squatting Measures

The Local Police highlighted the importance of citizen cooperation in preventing illegal occupations, stressing that immediate reporting is essential to enable same-day action. Under Spanish law, illegal occupation is a criminal offence, and when reported as a flagrant delict (in progress), neighbour testimony can serve as sufficient evidence for authorities to intervene and remove occupants immediately. The city has taken several steps to combat the issue, including the 2020 creation of the USIR rapid intervention unit, equipped with modern tools for property access, and a 24/7 contracted service for installing anti-squatting security plates on recovered properties. Residents are advised to report any suspicious behaviour around vacant properties immediately via the city's official anti-squatting guidelines. The Local Police have recovered 534 illegally occupied homes in the past four years, according to municipal data.

Reported by metropoliabierta.elespanol.com, gramenet.cat, ajuntamentinforma.gramenet.cat, Metrópoli Abierta - Urban Life.

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