hey holidayfriend, not sure crime in
Barcelona have skyrocketed..I think it's a bit of scaremongering going on...what it is a problem is petty crime, which is bad yes, but other than that don't be afraid. Don't flash valuables, don't walk by night and keep a lowkey (meaning don't let the entire city know you're a tourist by being loud)
I've never to Barcelona a few times and I have never been robbed, though thieves do seem to have a sixth sense to locate tourists, their the wallets and valuables so keep on eye out.