Local political party P.I.O.C. recently attended a meeting at Playa Flamenca Town Hall regarding the crime rate in Orihuela Costa and was left thoroughly unimpressed by the outcome. Present was the Councillor for Security, Ramón López Cabrera, Fermin Rodriguez, representatives of P.I.O.C. and officers from the Guardia Civil and Police Local, plus three residents of La Florida.
P.I.O.C President Peter Houghton said: “Quite simply it was a waste of time, the official representatives were not interested in hearing about incidents around La Florida, Via Park III or other ‘trouble spots’ in Orihuela Costa.”
Out of 128 available Police for Orihuela and surrounding districts, the coast has 20-25 Police Officers to police at least 60,000 permanent Residents, plus 150,000 tourists in the summer season, approximately only 20 percent of the whole force employed by Orihuela Government.
Peter continued: “At the meeting we requested that CCTV cameras to be installed in areas where petty crime is an issue or residents are having constant battled with fly tippers dumping rubbish illegally. However, we were told that this is not allowed. However, a CCTV system has been installed in Los Montesinos, so if it can be made legal there, why not in Orihuela Costa?”
P.I.O.C. has forwarded its request to the relevant for the Coast to ask for an explanation as the why a CCTV system cannot be installed to protect residents.
Peter explained that the party had taken along 30 letters from local people describing crimes that have been committed, but they were not allowed to hand these over at the meeting, nor were they given an acceptable reason as to why. The Police did make it clear though, that all crimes should be reported to either the Police or an official Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator.
Once the new Emergency Centre is completed it will be open 24 hours a day and therefore it will be easier for all residents and visitors to report crimes. P.I.O.C. hopes that in turn, this increased reporting, will entitle the coast to be allocated more police officers to ensure the local community is safer and better protected from opportunistic criminals and organised gangs.
P.I.O.C will continue to work with local businesses, associations and organisations to encourage the local government team to provide adequate security and safety services for every resident living in Orihuela Costa.