Police in València detained five young people over alleged calls to instigate disturbances and loot shops in the city. The operation was launched after alerts about the group linked to online activity on social media and messaging channels. A 17-year-old was detained in València on Wednesday, with an 18-year-old arrested in Alfafar on Friday and three more arrests made in València, Bilbao and Lleida. Authorities said one of the detainees allegedly used two instant messaging apps set up by the first suspect to urge others to carry out looting and “pillaging” in València on Saturday, 31 October. Investigators accuse the young man of encouraging people to use Molotov cocktails to create chaos and distract the police, so others could steal from businesses in the city centre. He also allegedly gave detailed instructions on how to make the incendiary devices, along with advice on how to act, and named specific shops in the central area. Police said the messages also urged participants to respect a campsite in Plaza del Ayuntamiento and not damage it. The arrested 18-year-old in Alfafar is expected to be brought before a judge, while the National Police keep the investigation open. The Ayuntamiento de València and the Delegación del Gobierno announced they held a local security meeting to assess the threat from such calls and plan a special police deployment, with more details due after the meeting.