RING OF STEEL FOR ROYALS

Staff reporter KING Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain arrived in Palma last night at the start of their annual summer holiday at Marivent Palace on the outskirts of Palma amidst a massive security operation. The King and Queen touched down at Son San Joan airforce base at 8.30pm where they were welcomed back to Majorca by a delegation of local dignitaries led by Balearic president Jaume Matas. Prince Felipe and the Duke and Duchess of Palma are also in Majorca to race in the Breitling regatta which starts today in Puerto Portals where there has been a large presence of police and Royal security officers all week. The National Police force has decided to take advantage of the presence on Majorca of some 60 extra officers who are here to form part of the Spanish Royal Household's security measures, using them to carry out a blanket security sweep through Palma this week. Before their royal schedule got underway yesterday, the officers have been also supporting security checks in specific locations on the island which are identified as trouble spots. The central government representative in the Balearics, Miquel Ramis said “given that we already have here officers to cover Royal Household security, we wanted to use their skills in clamping down on ‘flashpoints' on the island before they are committed to their “royal” duties. An extra 500 police officers have been made available to the Balearics this summer as part of an agreement by central government to finance policing of major tourist areas. Across the country, to ensure maximum safety and security for holidaymakers, more than 5000 officers will be added to already existing forces bringing their total to 45'000. Much of their work will be ensuring that holidaymakers are able to enjoy their stay without being preyed upon by petty criminals. The Minister of the Interior, Angel Acebes unveiled the measures yesterday after a meeting to examine the progress of “Operation Summer 2003”. The annual security operation in tourist areas officially began on 1 July and will draw to a close on 31 August on the mainland, in the Balearics, it will continue until the middle of September. Acebes yesterday met the Secretary for State Security, Ignacio Astarloa, the Secretary General of Tourism, Germán Porras, as well as with key representatives for the National Police Force and Guardia Civil to asses the situation. It was agreed at the meeting to maximise the collaboration between national and local police bodies in order to more effectively control delinquency and drug trafficking. “Spain is one of the safest countries” in terms of principal tourist destinations, assured Acebes. He went on to say that holidaymakers who came here last year bore witness to the high levels of police vigilance in traditional tourist resorts, awarding 7.6 points out of 10. Further, 88 percent of them declared they were very satisfied with the way security measures were in force. Of the 5'091 “extras”, 3'500 will be officers of the Guardia Civil and 1'591 National Police officers. The new “recruits” will bring practical and specialist skills to both organizations. As well as increasing personnel numbers, other measures have been taken to back up the overall efficiency of Operation Summer 2003, including ensuring the availability of eight helicopters. Public relations support will also be in evidence by means of a telephone “hotline” where victims of crime will be able to lodge claims against the perpetrators in English, French and German, Tel. 902-102112.