At least 128 people have been arrested following unrest in central Barcelona that left shops looted, barricades burning and 14 police officers injured.

Some 72 of those detained were minors, reports Cadena Ser, accounting for more than half. Four of the injured officers suffered serious injuries.

The violence broke out on Saturday around Plaça de Catalunya during an unauthorised gathering organised through social media channels such as TikTok.

Police vans surrounded the square as riot officers moved to disperse groups, many of whose members were dressed in black and had their faces covered.

According to the reported police tally, 23 businesses were vandalised or looted, while firefighters attended 33 incidents involving fires in public spaces.

Officers also filed 68 administrative reports linked to the seizure of items including knives, sprays, balaclavas, fireworks and stones.

Only two of those arrested had previous police records, both for public disorder.

During the disturbances, people set litter bins alight and pushed over parked motorcycles.

A barricade made from bins and motorcycles was erected and set on fire at the junction of Carrer de Vergara and Plaça de Catalunya.

Windows at two bus shelters were smashed, while a traffic light was also targeted.

The Mossos d’Esquadra said ‘violent groups of people with their faces covered’ were burning bins, damaging street furniture and throwing stones at officers.

The force urged members of the public to stay away from the affected area.

Catalan president Salvador Illa condemned the violence, saying it had ‘no place’ in Cataluña.

‘Protesting is a democratic right. Assaulting, intimidating or causing damage is not,’ he wrote on X.

‘There is no cause that justifies violence. Those who protest exercise a right. Those who assault or destroy violate it.’

He added: ‘We will make sure those responsible pay for it.’