Security cameras at Madrid-Barajas: tracking airport thefts
Carelessness and theft at airports are a common issue. At Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas, the Civil Guard has been quietly gathering a substantial amount of personal belongings over the past year. The list of items is long: laptops, mobile phones, tablets, video game consoles, watches, and jewelry—precious goods that could be sold on secondary markets.
According to police sources, there is no precise figure for the total value of stolen items because many belongings carry sentimental value and are not easily quantified. Investigations by agents from the Financial and Border Unit at Spain’s main international airport originate from complaints filed by affected passengers at the Civil Guard citizen service offices located in Terminal 1 and Terminal 4.
Image surveillance
Thanks to cameras installed throughout the airport by the operator Aena, agents have been able to identify perpetrators, leading to the detention of 30 individuals and the investigation of another 56 people.
The authorities describe the offenders as highly skilled at taking passengers’ belongings, exploiting moments when travelers momentarily lose sight of their possessions. The riskiest moments tend to occur when people pass security checks in the boarding area.
That is the point where security footage captures one of the most recent interventions. The clip shows parents encouraging a minor to take a watch valued at more than 10,000 euros from the security tray, while the owner became aware and alerted the Civil Guard. The family was located just as they were about to board, and the watch was recovered and returned to the rightful owner.
Police work has also clarified several thefts that occurred in the airport shops, where the main targets were alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and perfumes.
The Civil Guard stresses the essential role of airline cooperation, as airlines provide data that helps return belongings to their owners and identify suspects so police action can proceed. They also advise filing a report as soon as possible to begin the investigation.