DANGERS AND INSECURITY

News

Gemma Quinn / 2008-05-18 15:49:16

Security surrounding the Orihuela Costa was once again questioned this week when a car was burned out just a few metres from the Playa Flamenca Town Hall, the second such incident to occur in recent months.

A spokesman from the C.L.A.R.O. party said it was "another worrying incident" adding, "We hope the police will investigate urgently and tell the public what lies behind these acts. One such incident might suggest vandalism, two would indicate criminality of a much more serious nature. There is a growing concern among citizens and business people that crime is rising. All the indicators, ranging from examples of house-breaking, bag snatching and delinquency point in this direction and in the background, prostitution and car robbery are reminders that organised crime is present in Orihuela Costa."

Bob Houliston from C.L.A.R.O. says, "We do not doubt that the police are doing their best but this is within the limits of their capacity. Overall security policy is primarily the responsibility of the Orihuela municipal government. They decide the number of police in Orihuela Costa and they are responsible for a concerted strategy to reduce crime. They do not seem to be doing a good job."

Experts in security consider that the optimum ratio between the number of police and the size of the population is 2 police officers for every 1,000 inhabitants. In the rest of Orihuela with some 50,000 inhabitants and 100 police officers this ratio would seem to be respected. But in Orihuela Costa, with some 30 police officers and some 40,000 regular inhabitants the ratio is equal to only 1 police officer for every 1,300 inhabitants. In summer, the population of the coast exceeds 200,000 and the opportunities for crime multiply accordingly.

However, that hopefully should begin to change as today, Monday 19 May, work begins on constructing a new police and ambulance station for the Orihuela Costa. Situated in La Zenia, behind the Consum supermarket it will house facilities for both Policia Local and Paramedic crews. Once completed, it should go some way to improving the security for Orihuela Costa residents and help bridge the gap between Orihuela city and the coast. The "Leader" will of course keep and eye on its progress and continually update readers.

Tags: Prostitution, Organised Crime