Local Police Unions and over 50 supporters stormed into the Orihuela Plenary meeting last Thursday, occupying the seats reserved for members of the public, where they held up banners of protest against the mayor, Emilio Bascuñana (PP), and the Councillor for security Mariola Rocamora, booing other government councillors and applauding the opposition every time they spoke.

Such was the disruption caused that the mayor threatened them all with expulsion from the chamber on three separate occasions.

The posters carried slogans such as “the PP does not comply”, “Mariola resignation” or “blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah”, in reference to the fact that “politicians talk a lot, but do not solve any problems or issues,” despite the many promises that they make.

The agents eventually left the hall but continued their protest outside with shouts of “Mariola, resign”, which could be heard throughout the building.

The union representatives of the UGT, SPPLB and CSIF, read a statement in which they said that they have been asking for improvements in working conditions for more than 3 years “but the Human Resources leaders just go round and round in circles without taking any action”.

They also complained about the lack of police officers, pointing out that in Orihuela Costa, during holiday periods, there are only two agents to cover an area with more than 100,000 residents and tourists.