A surge in violent crime has left Orihuela Costa residents shaken, following a recent shooting that critically injured a man and an attempted kidnapping just days later. Locals are demanding immediate reinforcements for law enforcement and heightened security measures as fear spreads across the coastal community.
The shooting occurred on May 13 in La Zenia, a bustling district known for its eateries and shopping hubs. The victim remains in critical condition, and the Civil Guard investigation is ongoing. Authorities have yet to release full details, but sources confirm the attack happened close to a number of popular tourist spots
Only days after the shooting, an attempted abduction further unsettled the community. The incident, which took place last Monday, was narrowly avoided when the intended victim escaped. Witnesses described the suspects’ vehicle as either a grey Volkswagen Golf or a Mazda estate. Neighbourhood group Unidos por la Costa was informed by Local Police and quickly issued a public alert on social media seeking eyewitness accounts.
However, the city’s ability to communicate effectively has been hindered by the ongoing inactivity of the Local Police’s official social media channels—silent since April due to a dispute between the city council and retired commissioner José María Pomares. Residents argue this silence has only deepened public anxiety and impaired community safety.
Unidos por la Costa is now calling for a comprehensive overhaul of public safety strategies. Their proposals include deploying more patrol units, extending hours at the emergency centre, providing interpreter services for international residents, restoring online police updates, and introducing surveillance technologies like drones and CCTV.
The ruling PP-Vox coalition was further criticised for failing to fully utilise the area’s large emergency centre, pointing to insufficient staffing—particularly a lack of firefighters and civil protection teams—and only a thin police presence.
Speaking to The Leader on Thursday, Councillor for the Coast, Sr Manuel Mestre, acknowledged that security is of concern, as we highlighted examples of recent events.
We also raised concerns about the inefficient use of the limited police resources, pointing out that dispatching three patrol cars to a bar over loud music is not an appropriate response.
Additionally, we asked about an increase in the number of police and Guardia Civil officers assigned to the coast, which the councillor promised to follow-up.
With its population swelling to over 100,000 in peak season and its sprawling urban layout, Orihuela Costa poses unique policing challenges. Many residences remain unoccupied during off-season months, making them prime targets for illegal squatting—an issue particularly acute in areas like Cabo Roig.
Although local officials launched a task force last year to combat home squatting and have reported a decline in incidents, residents insist that more needs to be done.
Public concern over safety reached a boiling point last November following the murder of 15-year-old Cloe, allegedly by two 17-year-old friends. Her death highlighted longstanding problems in the area: poor lighting, abandoned properties used for drugs and parties, and a general lack of infrastructure. The notorious “Chinese House” in La Florida—long a hotspot for illegal activity—symbolises these broader issues.
In response to the tragedy, the police acted by sealing off several unsafe properties and fining owners for negligence. Yet concerns persist, particularly at IES Playa Flamenca, the school attended by both Cloe and her accused killers. Parents continue to report drug use, weapons, and violence on and near to the campus.
Compounding the sense of insecurity, a family was mistakenly held at gunpoint in their Lomas de Cabo Roig home shortly before Cloe’s murder when armed intruders entered the wrong address. Residents believe these events are not isolated, but symptoms of a growing and dangerous pattern.
With pressure mounting from both residents and advocacy groups, Orihuela Costa’s leaders, once again, face urgent calls to restore order and safety to a community on edge.
