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Spain is generally considered to be at much lower risk of terrorism than other parts of the EU, including the UK, France and Germany, and the excellent work of its Intelligence service and National Police force has led to Jihad cells being nipped in the bud – in fact, the Catalunya attacks, with the exception of bombings by the now-defunct ETA, were the first terror incident in Spain since the Madrid train blast in March 2004.
But Barcelona city council is concerned about the impact the dramatic headlines may have had on international tourism to what is statistically one of the safest countries in the world with one of the lowest levels of violent crime.
Christmas normally brings large crowds of tourists, visitors and resident shoppers into Barcelona, and the council is gearing up for this by looking at ways to protect them in the extremely unlikely event of a repeat of the August 17 tragedy.
Trees, concrete blocks and hefty flower pots and planters are gradually being installed on the Ramblas, Barcelona's most-touristy pedestrianised boulevard which runs from the city centre to the port and where a terrorist ploughed through crowds in a stolen van in summer.
Other measures set to be put in place ahead of the festive season include pedestrianising the area around the city's iconic Sagrada Família cathedral, where queues stretch round the block and spill onto the road at all times of the day as holidaymakers wait in line to see one of Spain's most famous – and very much worth it – attractions.
The C/ Marina, C/ Sardenya and C/ Provença will be shut to traffic, and fixed obstacles such as concrete plant trays set up to prevent vehicles getting through.
Extra police will be on duty, in addition to the reinforcements brought in permanently since the attacks.
The council's local security committee is working constantly on new ideas to make residents and visitors feel at ease and act as a deterrent to potential terrorists, as well as prevention.
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