The Madrid Municipal Police have recorded 200 interventions related to weapon possession, predominantly knives, so far this year. The Deputy Mayor of Madrid and delegate for Security and Emergencies, Inma Sanz, confirmed these figures during the presentation of the annual balance.
Among the notable actions is the resolution of a threat against residents in a building in Villaverde, where a man armed with a knife was subdued with an electronic control device (DEC or ‘taser’) due to his aggression. Additionally, several kilograms of drugs and numerous weapons were seized in three drug dens in Puente de Vallecas. Police also intervened in a large-scale brawl in a Vallecas square, leading to the arrest of a minor found with a 34-centimeter knife, who admitted to belonging to a violent youth gang.
In light of the increase in these interventions, Sanz has expressed her "concern" and highlighted the need for "legal modifications" to "punish more and better" such offenses. "I am aware that there are various initiatives in the Congress of Deputies to toughen penalties and regulations concerning both the possession and, of course, the use of these weapons," she stated.
The Deputy Mayor also emphasized the importance of more severe penalties for recidivism, calling it "incomprehensible" that officers repeatedly arrest the same individual without a "sufficiently strong" sanction to remove them from the city's streets.
In terms of public safety, from January to April, the Municipal Police carried out 574 interventions related to individuals, 1,227 concerning property, and 2,789 for drug possession and consumption. Furthermore, arrests and investigations were conducted on 105 individuals for assault, 131 for gender-based violence, 22 for sexual abuse and assault, 81 for threats, 76 for violent robbery, 63 for property crimes, 47 for intellectual and industrial property offenses, 265 for public health violations, 1,784 for road safety offenses, 81 for document forgery, and 82 for resisting or disobeying authority.
Additionally, 2,464 reports and fines were issued for consumer protection, including illegal street vending, and 6,772 inspections and actions, along with 11,079 fines, were carried out in public entertainment venues. The Municipal Police's school liaison officers also maintained 1,772 contacts in educational centers and processed 537 files to ensure student safety.
