SPANISH authorities have stepped up their drive to prevent the Catalonia independence referendum taking place by raiding 31 town halls across the region.

The Guardia Civil entered a total of 31 council buildings in the north east region of Spain in a bid to seize documents and literature about the upcoming referendum vote that is due to take place on October 1.

The operation was mainly focused on towns in the Lleida region, in western and northern Catalonia, including Oliana, Tàrrega, Alpicat and Almacelles.

And the Guardia Civil were mainly focused on seizing documents that some mayors signed in support of the referendum as well as any emails that give permission for government buildings to be used as polling stations, according to El Nacional.