Letter to the editor

Dear Editor,

Despite promises to resolve anti-social problems across Calvia and other resort districts, it appears little or nothing is being done. The number one problem are the Nigerian women who pose as prostitutes while intending to rob tourists of their valuables and money, often with violence.

They are dangerous, well organized and, I believe, a front for a criminal network. We must remember that most women working in the sex industry in foreign countries do so against their will.

Prostitution is legal in Spain, even if it is a grey area. So you cannot ban it without a change of state law and that will not happen for a multitude of reasons.

The Nigerian gangs are using this fact to their advantage. But local councils have the power to deal with anti-social behaviour in their area.

They can introduce a Bye-law, or an Ordenanza Municipal de Convivencia.

A Bye-law to make street prostitution (and other unpleasant behaviour) cannot stop these criminals attacking the tourists but it would make it expensive for them and drive them away. It would also give the police the powers to fine the prostitutes, check their details and legality, and then arrest them for non-payment of fines.

As a friend of mine pointed out recently, San Antonio in Ibiza has a Bye-law to impose fines of up to 3,000 euros for this and other sorts of anti-social behaviour. Ibiza is also one of the Balearic Islands, so the same can be done in Majorca. As an example, Calvia has dozens covering all aspects of life. So one more is possible and the councillors know this.

But the problem for the councils is that once they have put a Bye-law in place, they and the police have to act on it and be judged on it.

So far the councils are ignoring what the people and the tourists want and making excuses. The question is why are they ignoring the Nigerian criminals and other anti-social behaviour?

This important question needs answers and it needs action. And Majorca needs them now.

Name and address

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