Spanish police are warning foreign drivers to beware of robbers after a spate of hold-ups around Barcelona.

They throw stones at cars which stop to check for damage. The robbers pull up, and while one pretends to help, the other grabs whatever he can from the victims’ vehicle.

Catalonian police have arrested 11 people who they believe are behind an estimated 90 robberies in which 600,00 euros worth of goods was taken.

Deputy police inspector Sergi Martinez said foreign drivers are targeted: “Spanish people are well informed, we know what these people do and we don’t stop. That’s why they choose people from abroad.”

“They must ignore these signals. If they have to stop because they really think their vehicle is damaged, they have to do it in an area under surveillance,” he added.