Despite the decline in tourism, mixed police patrols are returning to the Spanish coasts. Agents of the French Gendarmerie, the German Polizei and the Italian Caribinieri support the police and the Guardia Civil on the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands and along the Valencian coast.
Despite predicted tourist numbers for this season being smaller than previous years, the Plan Safe Tourism 2021 has been activated from the Spanish Ministry of the Interior. This supplements the security forces present in areas with a higher influx of tourists with police forces from other countries. The aim is tourists can enjoy their holiday in the safest possible way.
Mixed police patrols
The state security forces will not be alone in this task. As in previous years, they will receive the support of members of the French Gendarmerie, the German Polizei and the Italian Caribinieri in the main tourist centres.
The presence of international agents is intended to create more security among tourists. In fact, they deal with the complaints of their fellow citizens who have been victims of crimes or intervene in matters such as traffic accidents. Their aim is to prevent crime on public roads by connecting with citizens in general and with tourists in particular. They assist with translation work and help in every situation, reports the General Directorate of the Spanish Police. They patrol, mainly on foot but also in vehicles, with their national uniforms so that they are easily recognizable to the citizens of the respective countries.
The European Police Station developed this project in 2008 with France. Since then Portugal (2012), Italy (2014) and Germany (2020) have become involved. Each year, the project expands with the addition of new places and time periods.
Balearics
From July 1 to August 31 (September 30 in the case of the Balearic Islands), 44,679 troops will be in action. This concerns 23,770 National Police officers. That is 2,222 more than usual and 20,909 Civil Guard agents, increasing the troops by 1,599 personnel.
Canary Islands
In the Canary Islands there is also a presence of agents of the three nationalities. Each of the islands has a mixed patrol presence.
Costa Blanca
In Alicante, the mixed patrols of the Guardia Civil and the Gendarmerie will be present in the towns of Altea, Alfaz del Pi, Polop de La Marina, La Nucía and Alicante city. Those of the Guardia Civil and the German police will focus on El Pilar de la Horadada and Orihuela Costa.
New patrol areas
This year, for the first time, the mixed patrols are also in Granada, Marbella and Estepona (Malaga) and Vigo (Pontevedra).
In turn, the agents of the Spanish National Police are also assigned to foreign locations. This year they will be present in Paris (France) and Lisbon, Nazaré, Porto and Villa Real de San Antonio (Portugal).
