Horror moment Brit tourist stabbed over and over while fighting off 4 robbers

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A British tourist has been stabbed while trying to prevent four robbers from stealing his bag in the Barcelona street-crime hotspot of Las Ramblas.

The man was having a drink on a terrace in Placa Sant Josep Oriol, a short walk from Las Ramblas, at around 8pm last night when the robbers pounced.

They snatched his bag and when he tried to give chase and get his property back a scuffle broke out.

READ MORE: Brit drowns on holiday in Majorca hotel pool before lifeguard could save him

He managed to restrain one of the thieves but the villain took a weapon from his pocket and lashed out, slashing the man across the ribs.

Footage of the horrific incident appears to show the Brit only realising he had been wounded when he saw the blade in front of his face.

Moments later the stunned tourist gave up the struggle and the four miscreants made their escape.

They didn’t get far, though, and all four robbers are believed to have been arrested later that evening.

Sadly, the penalty they face may not be enough to prevent them from reoffending.

The Catalonian capital records over 200 robberies every day, with many theft gangs targeting tourists.

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Under Spanish law, the theft of an item valued at less than €400 (about £346) is classed as a “falta”, or misdemeanour, rather than a crime.

A “falta” entails a fine in the region of €50 (a little over £40), which isn’t enough to act as a deterrent. The criminal gangs that prey on tourists in Barcelona see the occasional fine as a simple operating cost.

Speaking off the record, many Barcelona police officers say it's hardly worth trying to enforce the law in the area, knowing that any culprits they manage to arrest will be back on the street within hours.

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• Brit tourists at Spanish hotspot will have to sign 'good behaviour pledges'
• Man who used plastic gun in scratch card robbery caught when he claimed £4,230 prize
• Obscure rule could see Brit tourists fined up to £130 for popular holiday pastime
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• Crime
• Knife Crime
• Spain

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