Spain’s Policia Nacional has announced increased patrols and drone usage to patrol beaches in Benidorm following a series of crimes in the area. Extra officers and ground units will be deployed to the busiest areas during the peak tourist season, while drones will carry out reconnaissance flights and offer real-time images of the coast.
Coordination between the drone operators and on-the-ground officers will allow the force to act “immediately” if necessary and “improve the operational response and guarantee a safer environment”. It said: “[This] will allow suspicious situations or criminal behaviour to be quickly identified. They are there to ensure a quick response to any incident detected from the air or reports from people.” The Policia Nacional aims to prevent the most common types of crime this summer, such as robberies from parked cars and theft.
It also urged visitors to keep an eye on their belongings and report anything suspicious to officers or by calling 091. The force added: “The involvement of citizens is key to maintaining a safe environment during the summer.”
This comes amid a recent increase in crimes in the area known as “muggers alley”, prompting Spanish police to issue an urgent warning to tourists.
They told holidaymakers “to be wary” of strangers following reports of multiple incidents in Benidorm. The statement read: “Always keep an eye on your personal belongings, especially in crowded areas.
“Do not keep cell phones or wallets in back pockets or easily accessible areas. Be wary of strangers who approach you with vague excuses or exaggerated gestures.
“In the event of a robbery, do not confront the offender directly and notify the police immediately. Write down the IMEI (serial) number of your device to facilitate its recovery in case of theft.”
Earlier this year, a British couple captured footage of an incident down an alleyway off Calle Gerona, which they said often happens at around 9pm.
The video, taken from their hotel balcony, showed a group of women stopping men walking down the alleyway. They can be seen attempting to stop them and grabbing the shirt of one of the men, Spanish Eye reports.
Spanish police told the outlet that they received “multiple reports from victims” and “intervened and arrested the perpetrators several times”.
A British expat added that similiar incidents have been an issue “for a long time” as the police station closes in the evening.
They said: “This has been going on for a long time, it’s outside the Magic Villa de Benidorm and right next to the local tourist police station, which is closed in the evening.”