Latest news with #OperationSummer
Daily Mirror
02-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Spanish holiday hotspots call in hundreds of police to deal with unruly Brits
The National Police is getting serious about unruly behaviour on the islands best known for debauchery, heavy drinking and drug taking Hundreds of extra police officers have been sent in to deal with unruly partygoers on five Spanish island resorts. The National Police is getting serious about unruly behaviour on islands best known for debauchery, heavy drinking and drug taking. The force bolstered its ranks in the Balearics by 4.33%, on top of reinforcement of around 300 officers as part of the special Operation Summer measures. A further 163 officers will be transferred to other locations in response to the Balearic Police Headquarters' commitment to improve public safety during the peak tourist season. Palma, Ibiza, Maó, Ciutadella, and Manacor will all see their ranks bolstered by extra officers. This year's reinforcement represents a significant increase compared to 2024, especially in terms of new recruits. A total of 130 trainee police officers are being sent in across the island, tasked with patrolling the sunshine islands and guarding the borders. The special Operation Summer officers, some of whom are sent out with dog units, are brought in to control the swollen population of the Balearic Islands during the holiday seasons. Islands such as Palma and Ibiza are huge draws for party people from across the world. As much as this serves as a massive boost to the local economies and has cemented their reputations as the centre of worldwide nightclub culture, locals are growing increasingly tired of criminality linked to an industry so closely connected to the drug trade. The boosted police ranks will also help enforce a series of anti-social behaviour-related laws that have been legislated in recent years in a bid to control the impact of holidaymakers. In May 2024, the government of the Balearic Islands banned on-street drinking and the sale of alcohol in supermarkets between 9:30pm and 8am in party hotspots including including San Antonio in Ibiza, and Playa de Palma and Magaluf in Majorca. Potential fines for those caught breaking these rules have risen from between €500 and €1,500 (£430 - £1290) to as much as €3,100 (£2,580). The bolstering of the police force comes after a string of high profile incidents involving Brits heading out to the party islands. TikTok influencer Erika Barrachina travelled from London Luton to the Balearic Island with Easyjet. During her journey, she found herself amidst passengers who were "screaming" and "hitting each other". She vented: "My trip yesterday London - Ibiza with easyJet was a real horror! I was scared, a plane full of real English animals! We don't want this type of tourism in Ibiza, they should stay at home!" Days before the incident, Spanish police had to raid a Ryanair flight after five passengers reportedly wreaked havoc mid-flight on a trip from Newcastle to Alicante. The mayhem unfolded aboard the Boeing 737 service departing from Newcastle International Airport bound for Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport. The disturbance was severe enough to warrant authorities boarding the plane once it touched down. The captain was granted urgent clearance to land due to the passengers' disorderly conduct. An EasyJet spokesperson said at the time: "Flight EZY2307 from Luton to Ibiza on 16th May was met by police on arrival due to a group of passengers behaving in a disruptive manner. EasyJet's cabin crew are trained to assess all situations and to act quickly and appropriately to ensure that the safety of the flight and other passengers is not compromised at any time. "While such incidents are rare, we take them very seriously and do not tolerate disruptive behaviour onboard. The safety and wellbeing of passengers and crew is always easyJet's highest priority."
The Irish Sun
29-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
Summer crimewave in top holiday spot popular with Irish as tourists targeted by criminal gang amid protest chaos
IRISH people abroad are being warned of a criminal gang taking wallets, phones, ID documents and designer items from unsuspecting tourists. Police in 5 Palma de Mallorca in a popular holiday spot amongst Irish tourists Credit: Getty Images - Getty 5 The summer crimewave comes alongside protests against tourists Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd And nearly 50 pickpockets and petty thieves who "have their sights set" on tourist victims have been arrested in the past month by National Police on the holiday island announced on Monday they had brought forward 'Operation Summer' by bringing in extra officers from the mainland. The top cops, working alongside town hall-employed local police, specialise in "prevent and rapid response" crimefighting. A spokesman for the force in Majorca said: 'They will serve on the island for a month as a prelude to the incorporation of other units who will work in the municipality of Palma ahead of the arrival of reinforcements in Manacor in Majorca, READ MORE IN TRAVEL The summer crimewave comes as tourists heading across Europe fear they will be targeted by protestors holding across the Spanish archipelago's islands, including Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura, last May, with around 23,000 chanting: "The Canaries has a limit." And This summer, MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN Meanwhile, detectives in Majorca revealed the first arrest figures linked to the 'Operation Summer' advance last night. Thousands of anti-tourist protesters flood Spanish hols hotspots & call on mob to super glue holiday rental locks So far, 19 pickpockets and petty thieves that were operating in the Palma's Playa de Palma coastal area at nighttime have been arrested. In Palma's urban area, cops said 30 people who were "mostly pickpockets" were lifted by officers. Detailing the latest arrests this week, the spokesman added: 'On Tuesday police in Playa de Palma arrested three men, two Romanians and a Moroccan, on suspicion of theft, fraud and misappropriation.. GANG WORKING TOGETHER 'One of them turned out to be wanted for drug trafficking. 'They are members of a criminal gang specialising in targeting tourists holidaying on the Majorcan coast. 'They acted on a task-sharing basis, taking belongings from holidaymakers including wallets and purses with ID documents and bank cards they then used for purchases in different shops or to take out money from cash machines. 'When they were arrested officers seized a rental car they had not returned to the hire car firm which they are suspected of intending to keep. '€1,200 in cash was also confiscated from them along with two mobiles phones worth more than £850 each, documents and other high-end stolen items like designer sunglasses. CRIMINALS 'CRAWLING ON SAND' 'All the items recovered had been reported stolen and have been returned to their rightful owners. 'In the early hours of Tuesday morning police arrested two minors in Playa de Palma they had spotted crawling across the sand to take the belongings of some tourists who were in the sea. 'They were intercepted and the stolen items recovered. 'The detainees reacted aggressively when they were being arrested by kicking and punching the officers. 'On Tuesday afternoon around 3.30pm near Palma Cathedral two pickpockets were intercepted by police as they pinched a purse from a holidaymaker's bag. 'The officers were able to return the stolen purse, which had 1,500 US dollars and other valuables inside, to the victim on the spot.' STING OPS One police insider told today how the criminals officers are tackling as part of Operation Summer "have their sights set" on tourists who tend to be more distracted and carry large amounts of cash. They added: "Many of the offenders are being caught red-handed by undercover cops disguised as holidaymakers themselves so they can blend in better." Although Playa de Palma east of the Majorcan capital is more popular with German and Dutch tourists, Irish nationals are being targeted in Palma centre. The pickpocket and petty theft figures released by National Police earlier this week are separate to those of another national Spanish police force, the Civil Guard, who are responsible for areas like party hot spot Magaluf. The Civil Guard also brings in reinforcements every summer in Majorca to cope with the influx of criminals who base themselves on the island during peak season to take advantage of the fact there are more people to target than in winter. 5 Nearly 50 pickpockets and petty thieves have been nabbed by police in Majorca over the past month Credit: Getty Images - Getty 5 Locals at a demonstration against mass tourism in Majorca last summer Credit: Alamy Live News 5 Distracted tourists are being targeted by the criminals Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Daily Mirror
29-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Brits warned of pickpocket surge in Spanish holiday hotspot ahead of summer
Nearly 50 pickpockets and petty thieves targeting tourist victims have been arrested in the past month by police in Majorca, who have drafted in early reinforcements to tackle an expected summer crimewave A Spanish holiday island has been hit with an influx of thieves hunting for a five-finger discount. Nearly 50 pickpockets and petty thieves preying on tourists have been apprehended in the past month by police in Majorca. The problem has gotten so bad the force has called in early reinforcements to combat an anticipated summer crime surge. The National Police on the holiday island has initiated 'Operation Summer' ahead of schedule by bringing in additional officers from the mainland. These officers specialise in 'prevent and rapid response' crimefighting and will work alongside local police employed by the town hall. A spokesperson for the force in Majorca said: "They will serve on the island for a month as a prelude to the incorporation of other units who will work in the municipality of Palma ahead of the arrival of reinforcements in Manacor in Majorca, Ibiza and Menorca. So far 19 people have been arrested in Palma's Playa de Palma coastal area, most pickpockets and petty thieves operating at night-time. And in Palma's urban area itself 30 people have been arrested who are also mostly pickpockets." READ MORE: 'I pulled my toddler from boring nursery for a holiday - she won't ever go back' According to police the culprits were swiping belongings from holidaymakers, including wallets and purses containing ID documents and bank cards, which they subsequently used for shopping or withdrawing cash from ATMs. "When they were arrested, officers discovered a rental car that hadn't been returned to the hire company, leading to suspicions that they intended to keep it. €1,200 in cash was also seized, along with two mobile phones each worth over £850, documents, and other high-end stolen items like designer sunglasses" the spokesperson said. All the recovered items had been reported as stolen and have since been returned to their rightful owners. In the early hours of Tuesday morning, police apprehended two minors in Playa de Palma who were spotted crawling across the sand to steal from tourists who were in the sea. They were intercepted and the stolen goods retrieved. According to the police, the detainees reacted violently during their arrest, kicking and punching the officers. On Tuesday afternoon around 3.30pm near Palma Cathedral, two pickpockets were caught by police while stealing a purse from a tourist's bag. The bag, containing $1,500 (£1,180) was returned to the tourist. A police source said: "The criminals we are tackling with Operation Summer are primarily targeting tourists who tend to be more distracted and carry large amounts of cash with them. Undercover coppers, disguised as holidaymakers to blend in better, have been catching thieves red-handed." Although Playa de Palma, east of the Majorcan capital, is more frequented by German and Dutch tourists than Brits, British visitors to the island centre are among the top victims. Every summer, the Civil Guard also drafts in additional forces in Majorca to deal with the surge of criminals who set up base on the island during peak season, exploiting the increased number of potential targets compared to winter.
Scottish Sun
29-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Majorca police arrest nearly 50 pickpockets in one month and draft in reinforcements ahead of summer crime wave
Spanish cops have urged Brit holidaymakers to be on their guard TOURISTS WARNED Majorca police arrest nearly 50 pickpockets in one month and draft in reinforcements ahead of summer crime wave NEARLY 50 pickpockets and petty thieves targeting tourist victims have been arrested in the past month by police in Majorca. The pickpocketing spree has prompted cops to draft in early reinforcements to tackle an expected summer crime wave. Advertisement 3 Spanish cops have warned tourists following a spree of pickpocketings Credit: Getty - Contributor 3 The Civil Guard brings in reinforcements every summer in Majorca to cope with the influx of criminals Credit: Alamy 3 Overnight detectives in Majorca revealed the first arrest figures linked to the 'Operation Summer' advance Credit: Getty National Police on the holiday island announced on Monday they had brought forward 'Operation Summer' by bringing in extra officers from the mainland. These officers specialise in 'prevent and rapid response' crimefighting to work along town hall-employed local police. A spokesman for the force in Majorca said: 'They will serve on the island for a month as a prelude to the incorporation of other units who will work in the municipality of Palma ahead of the arrival of reinforcements in Manacor in Majorca, Ibiza and Menorca.' Overnight detectives in Majorca revealed the first arrest figures linked to the 'Operation Summer' advance. Advertisement read more in world news FINAL WARNING Trump gives Putin two-week ceasefire DEADLINE - but can talks stop bloodbath? A National Police spokesman said: 'So far 19 people have been arrested in Palma's Playa de Palma coastal area, most pickpockets and petty thieves acting at night-time. 'And in Palma's urban area itself 30 people have been arrested who are also mostly pickpockets.' Detailing the latest arrests this week, the spokesman added: 'On Tuesday police in Playa de Palma arrested three men, two Romanians and a Moroccan, on suspicion of theft, fraud and misappropriation.. 'One of them turned out to be wanted for drug trafficking. Advertisement 'They are members of a criminal gang specialising in targeting tourists holidaying on the Majorcan coast. 'They acted on a task-sharing basis, taking belongings from holidaymakers including wallets and purses with ID documents and bank cards they then used for purchases in different shops or to take out money from cash machines. Tourist faces £168,000 fine after launching huge rock from a clifftop into a gorge at popular Spanish beauty spot 'When they were arrested officers seized a rental car they had not returned to the hire car firm which they are suspected of intending to keep. '€1,200 in cash was also confiscated from them along with two mobiles phones worth more than £850 each, documents and other high-end stolen items like designer sunglasses. Advertisement 'All the items recovered had been reported stolen and have been returned to their rightful owners. 'In the early hours of Tuesday morning police arrested two minors in Playa de Palma they had spotted crawling across the sand to to take the belongings of some tourists who were in the sea. 'They were intercepted and the stolen items recovered. 'The detainees reacted aggressively when they were being arrested by kicking and punching the officers. Advertisement 'On Tuesday afternoon around 3.30pm near Palma Cathedral two pickpockets were intercepted by police as they pinched a purse from a holidaymaker's bag. 'The officers were able to return the stolen purse, which had 1,500 US dollars and other valuables inside, to the victim on the spot.' One police insider said today after the figures were released: 'The criminals we are tackling with Operation Summer have their sights set on tourists who tend to be more distracted and carry large amounts of cash with them. 'Many of the offenders are being caught red-handed by undercover cops disguised as holidaymakers themselves so they can blend in better.' Advertisement Although Playa de Palma east of the Majorcan capital is more popular with German and Dutch tourists than British visitors to the island, Brits are among the top victims in Palma centre. The pickpocket and petty theft figures released by National Police earlier this week are separate to those of another national Spanish police force, the Civil Guard, who are responsible for areas like Magaluf. The Civil Guard also brings in reinforcements every summer in Majorca to cope with the influx of criminals who base themselves on the island during peak season to take advantage of the fact there are more people to target than in winter. It comes following a similar warning to tourists visiting the popular spot Benidorm over the summer. Advertisement Spanish cops have urged Brit holidaymakers to take care after footage surfaced showing tourists being targeted on "muggers alley". The Policia Nacional told The Spanish Eye it has had multiple reports from victims and has "intervened and arrested the perpetrators several times." It added: "As a preventative measure, continuous patrols are carried out in this area, as well as throughout the rest of the town, to prevent the commission of this crime."
The Sun
29-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
Majorca police arrest nearly 50 pickpockets in one month and draft in reinforcements ahead of summer crime wave
NEARLY 50 pickpockets and petty thieves targeting tourist victims have been arrested in the past month by police in Majorca. The pickpocketing spree has prompted cops to draft in early reinforcements to tackle an expected summer crime wave. 3 3 3 National Police on the holiday island announced on Monday they had brought forward 'Operation Summer' by bringing in extra officers from the mainland. These officers specialise in 'prevent and rapid response' crimefighting to work along town hall-employed local police. A spokesman for the force in Majorca said: 'They will serve on the island for a month as a prelude to the incorporation of other units who will work in the municipality of Palma ahead of the arrival of reinforcements in Manacor in Majorca, Ibiza and Menorca.' Overnight detectives in Majorca revealed the first arrest figures linked to the 'Operation Summer' advance. A National Police spokesman said: 'So far 19 people have been arrested in Palma's Playa de Palma coastal area, most pickpockets and petty thieves acting at night-time. 'And in Palma's urban area itself 30 people have been arrested who are also mostly pickpockets.' Detailing the latest arrests this week, the spokesman added: 'On Tuesday police in Playa de Palma arrested three men, two Romanians and a Moroccan, on suspicion of theft, fraud and misappropriation.. 'One of them turned out to be wanted for drug trafficking. 'They are members of a criminal gang specialising in targeting tourists holidaying on the Majorcan coast. 'They acted on a task-sharing basis, taking belongings from holidaymakers including wallets and purses with ID documents and bank cards they then used for purchases in different shops or to take out money from cash machines. 'When they were arrested officers seized a rental car they had not returned to the hire car firm which they are suspected of intending to keep. '€1,200 in cash was also confiscated from them along with two mobiles phones worth more than £850 each, documents and other high-end stolen items like designer sunglasses. 'All the items recovered had been reported stolen and have been returned to their rightful owners. 'In the early hours of Tuesday morning police arrested two minors in Playa de Palma they had spotted crawling across the sand to to take the belongings of some tourists who were in the sea. 'They were intercepted and the stolen items recovered. 'The detainees reacted aggressively when they were being arrested by kicking and punching the officers. 'On Tuesday afternoon around 3.30pm near Palma Cathedral two pickpockets were intercepted by police as they pinched a purse from a holidaymaker's bag. 'The officers were able to return the stolen purse, which had 1,500 US dollars and other valuables inside, to the victim on the spot.' One police insider said today after the figures were released: 'The criminals we are tackling with Operation Summer have their sights set on tourists who tend to be more distracted and carry large amounts of cash with them. 'Many of the offenders are being caught red-handed by undercover cops disguised as holidaymakers themselves so they can blend in better.' Although Playa de Palma east of the Majorcan capital is more popular with German and Dutch tourists than British visitors to the island, Brits are among the top victims in Palma centre. The pickpocket and petty theft figures released by National Police earlier this week are separate to those of another national Spanish police force, the Civil Guard, who are responsible for areas like Magaluf. The Civil Guard also brings in reinforcements every summer in Majorca to cope with the influx of criminals who base themselves on the island during peak season to take advantage of the fact there are more people to target than in winter. It comes following a similar warning to tourists visiting the popular spot Benidorm over the summer. Spanish cops have urged Brit holidaymakers to take care after footage surfaced showing tourists being targeted on "muggers alley". The Policia Nacional told The Spanish Eye it has had multiple reports from victims and has "intervened and arrested the perpetrators several times." It added: "As a preventative measure, continuous patrols are carried out in this area, as well as throughout the rest of the town, to prevent the commission of this crime."
