Theft and Sexual Offences Drive Increase

Criminal offences in Reus rose by 6.1% during the first six months of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, according to data from the Spanish Ministry of the Interior. The increase was largely due to a 25.8% rise in thefts and a jump in crimes against sexual freedom, which went from 30 to 48 cases. Meanwhile, robberies involving violence dropped by 28.8%, and break-ins at homes and commercial premises fell by 19.2%.

Contrast with Wider Tarragona Region

This upward trend in Reus contrasts with the wider Tarragona province, where criminal offences fell by 2.1% over the same period. In the province, thefts remained the most common crime with 4,583 cases, a 2.2% decrease, while attempted murders declined by 31.8%. However, sexual assaults involving penetration increased by 24.7% across the region. Cybercrime also rose significantly, up 8.8% province-wide.

Among towns with over 20,000 residents, Salou and Amposta saw crime drop by around 10%, while Vila-seca recorded a 7.3% increase. In Reus, the 6.1% rise was attributed mainly to a 9.1% increase in conventional crime, particularly theft and sexual offences. In Vila-seca, the rise was driven by cybercrime, which more than doubled to 146 cases in the first half of 2026, even as conventional crime fell by 4.5%.

Official Response and Data Context

The Reus city council has previously highlighted efforts to reduce crime, citing a 9.5% drop in reported incidents in earlier periods. However, the latest Interior Ministry figures cover a different timeframe and show an increase for early 2026. Provincial data show four murders were recorded in the first half of 2026, the same as in 2025, while crimes against sexual freedom fell slightly across Tarragona by 4.5%, to 256 cases, including 106 sexual assaults with penetration.

Primary sources: Ajuntament de Reus. Reported by reusdigital.cat.