Two eleven-year-old children and two thirteen-year-old children were part of a group responsible for a wave of knife robberies that affected young people during last Christmas holidays in Alicante. They operated in daylight, creating fear as they demanded valuables with blades at hand. A fifth person participated in some incidents, but not all, making criminal responsibility unclear and preventing full arrest in relation to every robbery. Yet the National Police completed their work, collecting multiple victim testimonies and identifying the four youths who triggered extensive alarm. The group attacked with razors and knives, acting with the confidence that their age would shield them from serious consequences.
Researchers from the Family Group and the Junior Unit of the Alicante Provincial Police Station (UFAM) were able to confirm eleven criminal acts since last December. The young suspects showed a potential for ongoing criminal behavior unless timely reform measures could be applied.
Social services
Fearful victims recognized the attackers, and the National Police handed the case to the Children’s Prosecutor’s Office and to the relevant Social Services department of the Generalitat for further review. Investigations will assess whether it is appropriate to declare the youths helpless and determine suitable protective steps. One possible intervention is a program focused on education and supervised placement to curb a further rise in criminal activity, especially given their young ages. A file was opened at the Children’s Prosecutor’s Office; since the involved individuals are under 14, the case would be redirected to Social Services for ongoing support and monitoring.
One mother spoke to authorities, explaining that she felt powerless to stop her son’s behavior and asked Social Services to take charge of his care and supervision. The involvement of family supports the hope that early intervention can redirect these youths toward safer paths.
The crimes attributed to minors include six robberies carried out with violence and intimidation, with all but one attempted robbery completed. On one occasion, a victim sustained a cut while being threatened with a weapon. These incidents occurred mainly in residential neighborhoods, underscoring how fear spread through everyday streets.
Other violations
In addition to the knife robberies, the group was linked to incidents of mobile phone thefts from pedestrians and a case involving a minibus being driven into a field, resulting in a collision with another vehicle. After the crash, the youths fled on foot, with one member escaping on a scooter.
The majority of the offenses were concentrated in areas near Saint Blaise, Babel, and the Tossal district. During the police intervention, two knives were recovered as evidence of the group’s violent behavior.