One of the more unique aspects to policing in Torrevieja is that the Local Police force, who are normally usually only seen on Traffic duty, work closely with the Guardia Civil, as a support team.
Torrevieja’s mayor, Pedro Hernandez Mateo, took over control of the Local Police force during a cabinet shake up before the busy summer season. His personal involvement has pushed forward at least two positive initiatives, the capture of a major graffiti vandal two weeks ago and now major drug crackdowns (no pun intended) throughout the city.One of the more unique aspects to policing in Torrevieja is that the Local Police force, who are normally usually only seen on Traffic duty, work closely with the Guardia Civil, as a support team. Thus was the case in the very early hours of August 29th, when at 05:20 am, Guardia Civil officers, a drug-sniffer dog, along with eight members of the Local Police of Torrevieja carried out raids on two Night Clubs on Avda. De la Habaneras.
Over a two-hour period, Police interviewed 170 club visitors; carried out two drug seizures, confiscated five illegal knives, discovered more drugs hidden on the premises by their anti-drug dog, identified an underage visitor of only fifteen-years plus ascertained that illegal tobacco sales where taking place.
Of major concern, was the disco area, containing 178 people, whose lives were being put at risk in case of a fire, as the Emergency Exit doors had been illegally padlocked shut with heavy-duty link chain, contravening local and Regional Safety Laws.
The mayor of Torrevieja congratulated the newly appointed Director of the Local Police force and praised the cooperation shown by the Guardia Civil. He also cautioned criminals that drug crime will not be tolerated in Torrevieja, vowed to keep Guardia Civil levels as they are now and warned delinquents that Torrevieja is a City where they are not welcome.
