C.L.A.R.O. denounces a new outbreak of crime in Orihuela Costa

The coastal party doubts that there was an effective increase in police presence during the holiday period.

C.L.A.R.O. president, Bob Houliston, said that, on the occasion of the presentation last December of the proposed Emergency Services Centre for Orihuela Costa, it was announced that when the new centre opens in summer 2011, the number of local police in Orihuela Costa would be doubled to 60. On the same occasion, assurances were given that police resources would be increased by 40% to take account of security problems expected over the coming holiday period.

I n spite of this, Houliston claims, "What took place over the holiday period in Orihuela Costa was a new and serious outbreak of crime. Of many incidents reported in the press, the most dramatic was an attempted bank robbery in the commercial heart of La Zenia. When the bank’s alarm was triggered, local police intervened, the robbers fled but in the process injured one of the officers who had to spend two days in hospital recovering from the assault. There were several reports of street robberies where money was taken from often elderly people. C.L.A.R.O. has been told of many more incidents which were not reported. A resident of Orihuela visiting his daughter in La Zenia was robbed at knife point at 6 o’clock in the evening. We have been told of at least 6 attempted street robberies in Cabo Roig and widespread break- ins and burglaries. A car left covered in a drive outside a house had its four wheels removed. In another incident a wall was deliberately knocked down in a lawless act, the motive for which can only be guessed".

Despite of the fact that the press reports of these incidents over the holiday period all confirm the efficiency, competence and bravery of the local police, C.L.A.R.O.´s enquiries "cast doubt over whether there was an effective increase in police presence during the holiday period. On the contrary, we were told of difficulties in replacing police who were not available for duty and a shortage of cars for night patrols. If there was an increased police presence it was not sufficient to deal with the problems which were experienced. Orihuela Costa is short of policemen".

In June, 2008, on the basis of figures used by the chief of police, C.L.A.R.O. complained that the ratio of police to population in Orihuela Costa was half that of Orihuela as a whole. "We still have the same number of local police (30). It is not acceptable to say that we will have a doubling of numbers in 2011 when the new emergency centre is completed. In an interview given to the press at the end of December, Chris Poole of Neighbourhood Watch, said he had first proposed an emergency centre 3 years ago. If it is finished on time we will have waited 5 years. There is no need to wait so long".

Houliston goes on to say that "Orihuela Costa has hundreds of empty premises in existing commercial centres and there must be a dozen new commercial centres which are empty. Extra police could be housed provisionally in these premises. There is no need to wait until a new building is completed in 2 years time. Emergency services, police and fire service, should have been provided from the outset for an area whose population has grown to some 30,000 registered residents - not with a delay of 5 years. There has been neglect and inadequate attention given to the needs of Orihuela Costa. Our security problems require action today not in two year’s time. Increase the number of local police now".

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