Robbers are targeting tourists having SEX on the beach in Ibiza, police warn
- Thieves are targeting careless holidaymakers on the beach at night, police say
Crime is on the rise in Ibiza and popular tourist hotspots throughout Spain's Balearic Islands, with thieves targeting careless holidaymakers swimming, partying and even having sex on beaches at night, the National Police has declared.
Authorities beefed up police presence throughout tourist areas from April as part of 'Operation Summer 2024', deploying units from mainland Spain and seconding officers from various departments to crack down on crime over the peak season.
Officers on the island of Majorca made more than 100 arrests for robbery and theft between mid-April and mid-June in the city of Palma alone, a National Police spokesman said.
But law enforcement members have warned that crime rates are still increasing on the islands as criminals target unsuspecting and unprepared holidaymakers.
Crime is on the rise in Ibiza and popular tourist hotspots throughout Spain 's Balearic Islands, with thieves targeting careless holidaymakers swimming, partying and even having sex on beaches at night
Law enforcement members have warned that crime rates are still increasing on the islands as criminals target unsuspecting and unprepared holidaymakers
Police officer Rafael Jiminez said that besides theft and robbery on the beaches, the stretched police force is battling to crack down on home invasions and drug trafficking
The National Police in June told the Majorca Daily Bulletin that the most vulnerable victims are foreigners on the beaches at night, with thieves 'taking advantage of the fact that tourists come to the beach to bathe, have sex or meet in groups'.
Police officer Rafael Jiminez 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.'
He also explained that besides theft and robbery on the beaches, the stretched police force is battling to crack down on home invasions and drug trafficking.
'People are robbed in their homes, even when they are at home sometimes.
'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.'
