Police in Tenerife have busted a criminal gang that has targeted local residents and tourists alike in a spate of thefts. Around 80 suspects were arrested in a carefully planned operation on Thursday by the Guardia Civil.
Mobile phones, wallets, expensive watches, cash and fake IDs were recovered by officers during the raids. Many of those arrested were found to already have lengthy criminal records for minor thefts.
The raid brings to a close a five-month investigation dubbed Operation Danube that began last November.
A rise in reported thefts over the past few years led police to initiate the investigation.
Officers say the gang was well-organised, with members performing clearly defined roles.
Working in teams, some stole, others distracted victims, while couriers moved stolen items to avoid detection.
Officers say the operation has seriously disrupted a network that was causing “considerable unease” in busy shopping and tourist hotspots.
The case will now be dealt with by the courts in Tenerife.
Despite the success of the operation, police have urged the public to remain on their guard and to take basic safety precautions.
These include locking cars, keeping valuables out of sight and reporting any suspicious behaviour – such as individuals loitering among parked cars or peering inside vehicles.
They also advised victims of theft not to touch anything that might have been handled by the criminals, and to contact police immediately to file a report.
The Canary Islands have seen an increase in crime rates in recent years, with a notable rise in certain types of offences, particularly in property crimes and sexual assault.
While violent crime is relatively rare, petty crime like pickpocketing and purse snatching is common in tourist areas.
Tenerife and Gran Canaria – the two most populated islands – have seen the largest increases in crime volume.