A total of 29 municipalities in the Balearics will be able to call on the Tourist Police Service (SPAT) this summer; 54 officers work for this service which seeks to prevent crimes that affect tourists and they will be on duty until 30 September (having started on 1 June). Of the 54 officers, 44 will operate in 20 Majorcan towns, seven in the seven Minorcan municipalities with three in Sant Joan and Santa Eularia in Ibiza.
SPAT was introduced as a pilot project in the summer of 2013 in Andratx and following good results there it was expanded into 19 more towns in 2014: Alcudia, Bunyola, Costitx, Deya, Esporles, Maria de la Salut, Pollensa, Santa Margalida, Ses Salines, Soller, Son Servera and Vilafranca de Bonany in Majorca as well as in Alaior, Ciutadella, Es Castell, Ferreries, Mahon and Sant Lluis in Minorca and Santa Eularia in Ibiza.
This summer the service will now also be available in Estellancs, Inca, Mancor de la Vall, Muro, Porreres and Sa Pobla (in Majorca) and Es Mercadal in Minorca and Sant Joan de Labritja in Ibiza. Aspects of the service in preventing crimes involving tourists include a personalised approach to advising tourists, improving relationships with hotels and other establishments and strengthening the co-ordination between different security forces.
Tourist police ready for summer action
MICHELS