Nearly 90 arrests for thefts against visitors in Palma's night-time district
National Police officers have arrested approximately 90 people caught committing robberies against tourists in Playa de Palma since mid-May, as part of the summer operation.
Nearly 90 arrests for thefts against visitors in Palma's night-time district
Approximately 90 people have been taken into custody since 15 May after being caught committing thefts against tourists during night-time hours in Playa de Palma, according to information released by the National Police. These arrests form part of the summer operation, which has already accumulated nearly 300 arrests across various areas of the Balearic capital.
Night-time incidents are concentrated on the beach, where offenders take advantage of swimmers, people conversing in groups or those engaged in intimate encounters. Officers routinely recover the stolen items and return them to their owners.
Some of the arrests have been carried out with officers from other states—specifically from the Netherlands and Germany—integrated into the mixed patrol programme, which allows police from different European countries to travel to Palma to collaborate with Spanish authorities.
The perpetrators typically operate in groups of two or more people, dividing responsibilities: some access the sand to commit the thefts, whilst others keep watch or receive the stolen goods. Among the approximately 300 arrests from the summer operation, theft offences, vehicle break-ins and fraud predominate, although arrests have also been made for assaults, drug trafficking and sexual offences.
In the urban centre, pickpockets approach tourists to extract wallets from trouser pockets, handbags and backpacks without being detected. Thefts are also recorded in hotel establishments, where offenders target customers who leave their belongings near the entrance or reception desk. In bars and restaurants, criminals take advantage when visitors hang their bags on the back of chairs.
As a preventive measure, the National Police have reinforced controls at Balearic airports with additional personnel, as well as increasing citizen security patrols. Joint operations with Palma's Local Police in the beach area have also been intensified to pursue breaches of intellectual property law, among other offences.
The National Police spokesperson in the Balearics, Alejandro Becerra, indicated that a specialised unit has been established within the Judicial Police to act against these offences year-round. "This team will pursue gangs and organisations dedicated to theft in the Palma area, coordinating with other units on the mainland and with neighbouring nations," he stated.
Information from Majorca Daily Bulletin
Source: Majorca Daily Bulletin