Parlon raises the number identified by Blocus in Barcelona and other cities to 2,264

The Interior councillor, Núria Parlon, deems the operation with over 500 police officers against Blocus a success, identifying 2,264 individuals.

The police operation deployed on Saturday, October 31, to curb the Blocus gathering in Barcelona has, according to the councillor, resulted in a positive outcome. The Interior and Public Security councillor attributes the result to the coordination between the Mossos d'Esquadra and the Guardia Urbana, both in the capital and in other areas of Catalonia.

In an interview on Catalunya Ràdio, Parlon stated that the operation, involving more than 500 police officers, was "well coordinated". According to her, it was necessary to send a clear message: the disturbances of the previous week could not be repeated.

"We made it clear that the disturbances could not be repeated"

The identification figures total 2,264 individuals in Barcelona and other cities. Of these, 1,800 were identified by the Mossos d'Esquadra and 464 by the Guardia Urbana. Additionally, the report includes 181 complaints regarding the confiscation of dangerous tools, such as stones and sprays.

Parlon maintained that the operation did not prevent shops in central Barcelona from opening. She explained that the aim was to ensure "normality", although many businesses closed as a precaution.

Regarding the criteria used, the councillor rejected the notion that the identifications were based on ethnic reasons. She detailed that they were made following guidelines circulating among young people on social media about how to dress, with a specific profile of minors and a particular type of clothing.

"It was a specific profile. Minors and with a particular type of clothing"

Parlon expressed concern that some of those identified were under 12 years old, and requested that families be present in these cases. Among those identified, one was in Mollet del Vallès for attempted looting and had already participated in the disturbances in Barcelona.

The councillor announced that, over the coming weeks, they will continue monitoring social media and platforms, and believes that tech companies must also commit to prevention.