A seaside city loved by Brits is being plagued by three major problems during the peak summer season. Marbella, popular for its 17 mile coastline with 24 beaches, has long been a favourite destination for tourists thanks to its vibrant nightlife, climate and delicious cuisine.
However, the city is facing an increase in problem behaviour along its Costa del Sol resort’s. Vowing to crackdown on three main issues, the city has launched a major beach security operation which will run throughout July and August. These months are Marbella’s busiest months, with many visitors drawn to the warm weather, lively atmosphere, and numerous events. The primary targets of the pilot include loose dogs, unauthorised street vendors and out-of-control jetskis.
During January to October 2024 local police in Marbella seized more than 18,000 fake items from illegal street vendors.
Loose dogs are a particular concern in the province in Malaga, specifically in Marbella where pet abandonment is high. Last year animal shelters in Spain registered 292,000 animal admissions, nearly 2% more than the previous year.
Meanwhile, issues with jet skis rise during the summer months, last a year a young man died after colliding with a pleasure boat in Marbella.
The jet ski driver, aged 26, was rescued alive, but despite the efforts of the medics to revive him, his death was confirmed shortly afterwards. Fatal accidents such as this have forced authorities to increase their monitoring and control of jet skis.
The security beef up will see eight police officers patrolling the beaches on six quad bikes with a specific order to enforce beach rules.
José Eduardo Díaz, the councillor responsible for the initiative, said the crackdown aims to provide “comprehensive coverage from early morning until night” during the peak summer season.
He added: “It’s a coordinated effort by the emergency department so that both residents and visitors can enjoy our coastline with the utmost peace of mind.
Alongside the police officers a team of 50 lifeguards and two ambulances will take part in the crackdown.
La Bajadilla beach, located in the heart of Marbella’s urban centre, will see 20 Civil Protection Officers stationed there throughout July and August.
Officers will be equipped with buggies and quad bikes to carry out rescue work and provide support for medical emergencies.
To assist a team of 28 firefighters will carry out safety checks whilst a specialist Fire Service water rescue team operating from 8am to 9pm will provide emergency support.
In 2024, Marbella experienced a record-breaking year for tourism, with the Costa del Sol region seeing a 3.17% increase in visitors compared to 2023, reaching 14.47 million.
The growth was driven by the international market, which increased by 6.9%, while the domestic market saw a 7.5% decline.