UK cops deployed to Majorca to battle disorder as island braces for surge of rowdy Brits despite anti-tourist protests
UK COPS are to be deployed to Majorca to help reinforce police stations across the island as rowdy Brits prepare to take over this summer.
Holidaymakers from the British Isles are expected to rock up in their numbers on the popular Spanish island over the next few months despite the increased amount of anti-tourist protests in the Balearics.
The high tourist season is all but here and the National Police are wasting no time in preparing for a sea of Brits to land in Palma, Majorca’s capital, in the coming days and weeks.
However, they have anticipated the number of arrivals to be 13 per cent higher than last year and have brought forward their security plan for Palma by a whole month.
On Tuesday, it’s expected that more police officers are due to arrive from places such as Valencia on the mainland – but also the UK, the Majorca Daily Bulletin report.
But the focus is not on dealing with rude and loutish drunks in the bars, clubs and restaurants, however.
In fact, it will be in the shopping malls to ensure extra security in line with the start of the high tourist season, the small traders’ association Pimem reported in a note seen by the MDB.
The head of the citizen security brigade, Fernando Corchero, said on Monday, however, that the increased police presence has nothing to do with an increased amount of thefts.
Numbers are yet to exceed those from the same period on the island in 2023, but the correct procedures are being taken nonetheless.
“(It) does not mean that there have not been more thefts,” Corchero said.
“What we do know is that they (tourists) do not report more for fear of reprisals.”
Both the police and the employers’ associations have encouraged victims of theft to report it, as this is the only way to have proof of the crime and act accordingly, the MDB add.
In the case of Playa de Palma, the National Police has stated that this summer there is more security than last year due to the greater influx of tourists.
The police’s main focus will be on the central areas of Sindicat, Oms, Jaume II, Sant Miquel and Colom streets.
The British police are expected to be deployed to Calvia, according to Corchero.
He adds that it will primarily be German and Dutch police imported to Palma, while Italian or French police will be based in areas dominated by tourists of the same nationalities.
Met Police have been approached for comment.
It comes as Brits have been warned of a £170 fine if they try to bring home cheap souvenirs from Spain this summer.
Local cops are trying to crack down on illegal and unlicensed vendors in popular holiday destinations, with plain-clothed officers set to prowl the streets of Costa Blanca throughout the summer.
Anti-tourist protests also continue to run rife across the Balearics, with hordes of protesters taking over Majorca’s beaches in the latest efforts to squeeze out foreigners.
Pictures showed families and other locals gathered under umbrellas covered in the slogan “Ocupem Les Nostres Platges”, which translates into: “We occupy our beaches”.
However, tourist bosses in Majorca say they fear for their businesses if activists continue to stage protests aimed at driving out British visitors.
A charter boat owner revealed he had been getting emails from clients asking if it was still safe to visit the Spanish isle.
Anti-tourist measures sweeping hotspots
MAJORCA and Menorca are just some of the European hotspots implementing anti-tourist measures.
Many top holiday destinations across the continent are taking action to prevent unwanted travellers from taking over their towns and cities.
Locals feel they can no longer live in the iconic destinations because they have become overcrowded, unsafe and uncomfortable.
They say there are too many cars on the roads, traffic congestion, overcrowded beaches, blocked access roads, ruined beauty spots and just too many holidaymakers flocking to the island which expects record figures this summer.
In April, thousands of people took to the streets in Tenerife to demand restrictions on holidaymakers after telling Brits to “go home”.
The anti-tourist hordes filled a square in the capital brandishing banners including some that read “You enjoy we suffer” in English.
Protests also took place at the same time on other popular Canary islands including Lanzarote and Gran Canaria.
The marches were organised under the slogan “The Canary Islands have a limit.”
Hotel bosses in Benidorm have even admitted they are “very worried” by the anger growing amongst island residents but branded holiday homes in Spain a “virus”.
More recently, the Committee on Tourism, Trade, Employment, Culture and Sport reportedly approved an initiative to reintroduce a cap on cruise ships to Palma, Majorca’s capital.
Politicians are keen to implement a new set of rules on cruise ships in terms of taxation, the environment or the use of less polluting fuels to lower numbers coming into the Balearics.