I have just returned from Barcelona, and I am sad to report that the whole experience was ruined by crime. A party of six, we spent seven days there over the New Year period. Everything went fine until New Year’s Eve, when I personally witnessed two bag snatches (one of them my sister-in-law) and heard of a further three.

Myself and my two brother's-in-law left our wives in the Spinning wheel (I think that's the correct name) Irish pub, to go and search for the Clansman, a Scottish theme pub which gained a good write-up in Time Out. On the way a French women was left shocked and dazed after a little scumbag stole her bag. I, myself, felt physically sick, as having reached the age of 52, I had never seen a crime committed. We immediately phoned our wives and told them to stay where they were as we were on our way back. However, women being women, they decided to come and meet us.

We met them in the same place where the previous snatch had taken place and were busy trying to get out of there when a similar looking type struck. We gave chase but had no chance of catching them. Needless to say, this incident cut short our celebrations. It seemed many people were talking about the same thing because, as previously stated, there were a lot of similar incidents that night.

What I would like to know is, if everybody knows about these incidents, where are the police? It seems to me this type of crime is tolerated, possibly because of political correctness. You have a great city it would be a shame to let it deteriorate because no-one has the political will to meet it head on.



It was most regretful that Mr James Cusack from Birmingham witnessed a couple of bag snatches while on holiday in Barcelona. Unfortunately most cities of the world are cursed with opportunists ready to mug the unwary visitor or local of their possessions.

However what really intrigued us was that these English tourists were in the middle of Barcelona, and were visiting Irish and Scottish theme venues for their entertainment! Why did they bother to leave Great Britain?

When visiting other countries we seek out small family owned venues that serve local recipes made with local produce and have never been disappointed. We are delighted to advise Mr Cusack that Spain has some of the best cuisine and beverages that we have ever tasted anywhere in the world.