A security guard at the CUAP Prat de la Riba in Lleida was arrested early on Tuesday morning for allegedly threatening and harassing an administrative worker at the centre, according to local reports. The 34-year-old guard faces charges of threats and disobedience to authority after failing to follow police instructions.
The incident took place around 1am when local police were called to the CUAP, which is located directly opposite their station. Officers spoke with those involved, and an administrative worker from the reception area explained that the security guard on duty had repeatedly threatened her, even brandishing his baton, preventing her from carrying out her work normally.
Police also gathered statements from other individuals and the security guard, who was uncooperative, according to reliable sources. Given the evidence, officers arrested the guard on suspicion of threats and resisting authority. He was taken to the police station on foot.
Public Facility Security Concerns
Public facilities such as CUAPs, hospitals, and courthouses often employ private security guards. These guards are responsible for ensuring safety at entrances and preventing incidents. Catalan.News attempted to get a statement from the Department of Health but was unsuccessful.
This is not the first incident at the CUAP Prat de la Riba. In September 2021, local police arrested a woman at the same centre for allegedly assaulting a nurse. That arrest was for an offence against a public official. The victim stated that a user had attacked her after she was denied entry to accompany a family member, in line with Covid protocols at the time.
Rise in Aggressions Against Healthcare Staff
The College of Doctors of Lleida has observed an increase in aggressions against medical professionals by patients and companions, particularly since the pandemic. Most of these incidents involve female doctors in primary care centres, as reported by SEGRE on 12 March.
The Spanish Collegiate Medical Organisation recorded 879 aggressions, both verbal and physical, across Spain last year. This figure marks a record high since the organisation's creation in 2010. Catalonia accounted for 281 of these incidents, with Lleida reporting only two verbal aggressions. However, Maria Chiné, vice-president of the Lleida College, believes aggressions are underreported. She stated, "It seems that with only two complaints from 2,000 members, we have normalised them, and that should not be the case." The College offers support to victims, who must decide whether to report incidents to the Mossos d'Esquadra.
