A robbery that shakes the peasant
Last February, an alarming incident occurred in a field in Sant Boi, where 1,000 kilos of artichokes were sustained. This robbery has triggered a great concern among farmers in the Baix Llobregat region, who are increasingly exposed to large -scale steaks.
Safety demands by farmers
Although small robberies have been a constant in the agricultural sector, the latest facts have led many professionals to demand more forceful measures to protect their harvests. One of the proposals includes an increase in police surveillance in the cultivation areas, similar to the initiatives of the Prat Local Police, which has a specialized unit in the supervision of natural spaces.
The unity of patrol: a first step
This unit, composed of two agents, has the main mission to prevent robberies through its visible presence. ‘Our function is to deter,’ says Xavi Riañez, one of the agents in charge of surveillance. Thanks to this approach, no major incidents have not been registered in the meadow so far.
The need for more effective measures
Despite the efforts of the Local Police, farmers consider current measures to be inadequate. The protection provided by the Consortium of the Baix Llobregat Agricultural Park, who has hired a security company, does not meet the needs of the farmers, who ask for a more adapted security body, such as the reactivation of rural police.
Patullating adapted to the harvests
Riañez emphasizes that the unit adapts its patrols depending on the harvests. “For example, during the artichoke season, we increase our presence in these areas, as they are very attractive to thieves,” he says.
The reality of small robberies
Although no significant robberies have been registered in El Prat, small thefts are given, such as those in which people who walk take artichokes for dinner. These actions, despite being smaller, adversely affect farmers, as damage to plants often occurs during the harvest.
Identification and control
Riañez emphasizes the importance of knowing the agricultural community and identifying the vehicles that circulate in the area. The great influx of visitors makes it difficult to discern the intentions of each one. To improve safety, farmers propose to install license plate reading cameras at access to the park, a measure that would require legislative changes.
Security statistics
Last year, the unit performed 236 services, with 39 acts raised and 26 complaints filed. Most of these complaints were related to offenses such as illegal orchards, fishing or hunting without a license, and a waste of waste, rather than agricultural robberies.
A future for agricultural security
With increasing concern between farmers, the need for more efficient measures becomes more and more evident. Collaboration between local authorities and farmers will be key to protecting harvests and guaranteeing the viability of the agricultural sector in the region.
