Attacks on Private Security Guards at Sants Station Highlight Safety Gaps
A troubling incident unfolded last Saturday morning at a station managed by a private security firm in Sants, where three guards were involved in an escalation triggered by a traveler who refused to pay a ticket. The events began around 10:30 a.m., when a company employee noticed a disruption at the platform between tracks 13 and 14, seemingly linked to a faulty jump control system near a train crossing.
In a sequence marked by aggression, a 23-year-old woman was pursued by the assailant, who managed to seize her briefly. When he attempted to lift her, she fought back and was knocked to the ground, as stated in a report filed with the Mossos d’Esquadra police. The first security guard intervened and fell to the platform during the ensuing struggle. The attacker was seen again, hiding behind a pillar, and surfaced to threaten the woman who had attempted to defend herself. A confrontation erupted in which the guard, the assailant, and soon a second guard became involved. The suspect, however, managed to slip away, dragging one of the guards with him before fleeing.
The sequence did not end there. A third guard arrived, and together the trio restrained the attacker and ushered him into a lobby area. While ascending an escalator, the woman reported, the man released her grip and struck her chin, attempting to push her down the stairs. He threatened to inflict harm if not deterred. The assailant also seized a security device belonging to one of the guards and struck another on the head. With the aid of a fourth officer, the assailant was eventually contained and confined to a room designated for individuals awaiting Mossos officers. Throughout this period, he repeatedly shouted threats to return and renew the attack.
The confrontation drew to a close only after Mossos d’Esquadra arrived, identified the suspect, and removed him from the station. Minutes afterward, the injured guards received treatment for their bruises from a attending ambulance crew, part of the SEM Medical Emergency System. The assailant later resurfaced and targeted the female security responder with insults, yelling phrases such as, “son of a bitch” and “whore.”
Observers note that the response to violence against private security staff differs from how assaults on public officials are treated. In comments shared with the press, Sergio Sánchez, a consultant with Unity DNA and a member of the Department of Security and Services of Catalonia, underscored a recurring problem: respect for private guards appears to be waning, and criminals sometimes perceive attacks or insults as permissible behavior. He pointed out that, in cases like this, the perpetrators are often released after initial detentions, a reality that has sparked concern among security personnel and the communities they serve. The broader pattern, Sánchez argues, shows that these incidents are far from isolated and reflect ongoing challenges in protecting frontline security workers in busy transit hubs.
Public discourse has recently highlighted similar assaults: separate reports describe additional attacks on security staff in other metro locations, including a guard in Badalona who faced a severe stabbing while defending colleagues. These incidents together paint a portrait of ongoing risks faced by private security teams who operate in high-traffic public spaces, and they prompt renewed calls for stronger protections, better training, and clearer protocols to deter aggression and ensure swift, effective responses when danger arises.
Experts emphasize that safeguarding private security professionals requires a combination of prevention, rapid response, and accountability. Transit authorities and private firms alike are urged to review ticketing policies, crowd management practices, and the deployment of additional ground staff at peak times to minimize vulnerabilities. While authorities continue to investigate specific incidents, the overarching message from security professionals is clear: respect for security personnel must be reinforced, and assault on guards cannot be tolerated without consequence. This stance is essential not only for the safety of guards but also for the confidence of travelers who rely on secure and orderly transit environments.