EXTRA 328 POLICE ON THE BALEARIC BEAT THIS SUMMER

18/07/2013 00:00

STAFF REPORTER SAFETY for holiday-makers was put firmly in the limelight yesterday with Central Government Delegate in the Balearics, Ramon Socias saying that there will be 328 extra police officers covering security during the peak tourist season.

Socias explained that the additional forces which have now been operating for a fortnight are made up of 113 National Police officers and 215 from the Guardia Civil. He said that they will act as back-up to officers who are out on the beat, those who are in special police units such as the Robbery Squad, and to those who work closely with magistrates' courts. Also benefiting from some extra help will be the Traffic police, who see their work load swell in the summer as does the Drugs and Explosives squad.

Socias said that as well as the key concern of citizen safety, the officers will be prepared to act in cases that are related to terrorism or drug trafficking. With the Balearics still in a high risk period, the extra police will also be on standby duty in the event of forest fire. The security forces, said Socias, will have a strong presence in tourist areas where it is anticipated that their being seen out and about will have a preventive effect, thereby stopping a great deal of crime before it can occur.