Fuengirola has launched its annual summer policing operation, with thousands of additional patrol hours planned to help keep the Costa del Sol resort safe during the busy tourist season.
The special deployment will remain in place until September 13 and includes more than 10,500 hours of overtime by Local Police officers, exceeding last year’s summer operation.
Town hall officials say the initiative is designed to cope with the sharp rise in population during the summer months, when the town welcomes thousands of holidaymakers and sees increased activity in its hospitality, retail and leisure sectors.
It also follows a series of violent episodes last year, most notably when Scottish gangsters Eddie Lyons Jnr and Ross Monaghan were gunned down in a beachfront bar on May 31.
Mayor Ana Mula unveiled the operation alongside Councillor for Citizen Security Jose Luis Ponce and Local Police Chief Sergio Luna.
She said the aim is to prevent incidents before they occur and ensure residents and visitors can enjoy a safe and orderly summer.
Police presence will gradually increase throughout the season, with the highest levels of deployment expected in July and August.
Officers will focus on the busiest areas of the municipality, including beaches, promenades, parks, plazas, shopping districts and entertainment zones.
Additional security checkpoints will also be set up across different neighbourhoods and at varying times of the day to deter anti-social behaviour and identify potential offences.
Among the priorities for officers will be enforcing local regulations, tackling illegal street vending, monitoring the use of public spaces, overseeing nightlife and hospitality venues, preventing public drinking gatherings and combating drug use and trafficking in public areas.
Drones to support officers
The operation will work alongside other municipal services active during the summer season, including beach lifeguards, coastal surveillance teams and emergency medical services.
Fuengirola’s drone unit will also play a role, providing aerial monitoring and assisting police with prevention, surveillance and incident response.
Town hall officials said resources would be deployed flexibly throughout the summer, allowing police to increase their presence wherever large crowds gather.
Residents and visitors have also been encouraged to report any incidents through Spain’s emergency number, 112.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
