Robbers are targeting swimmers and nudists on beaches across the Balearic Islands – which as prompted a new warning from the National Police following a crime surge in Ibiza
Brits abroad have been warned to watch out for robbers whilst they are having sex on the beach in Ibiza.
The warning comes after a wave of crime has hit the party hotspot and the rest of the Balearic Islands, at night. Beachgoers have been urged to keep an eye for mischievous thieves who are targeting swimmers, partygoers and those distracted by public sex.
In response, the National Police have ramped up police presence across the tourist areas as part of ‘Operation Summer 2024’. Units from mainland Spain and officers from other departments have been asked to help crack down on the opportunists. According to the force, officers in Majorca arrested more than 100 people for robbery and theft from mid-April and mid-June. Despite the focus on the task force, crime rates are still on the rise as they target holidaymakers.
Last month, the National Police said that foreigners are especially at risk at night, because of criminals. A spokesperson told the Majorca Daily Bulletin that suspects are “taking advantage of the fact that tourists come to the beach to bathe, have sex or meet in groups”. Although there has been sanctions issued across different holiday resorts, Ibiza seems to be the place attracting the most crime. Police officer Rafael Jiminez earlier told Swedish outlet Expressen: “New figures that we have just received show that crimes have increased dramatically. Above all, it is robbery. Ibiza is the worst affected of the Balearic islands.”
On top of robbery, home invasions and drug trafficking has also been a huge problem for the island, reports Daily Mail. “People are robbed in their homes, even when they are at home sometimes,” he added. Then we have a lot of drug trafficking, he says. We are an island with lots of parties, discos and clubs. Drugs are very much connected to that business – it’s increasing too much right now.”
Jiminez previously told the I Newspaper that he moved away from Ibiza late last year because of mass tourism. “We are not against tourism itself,” he said. “I just could not take the atmosphere any more in Ibiza. Tourism is taking up open spaces. It used to be just summer but now it is all year round.”
