Authorities in Torrevieja say overall crime has declined even as recent violent incidents have heightened public concern about safety. Government subdelegate Manuel Pineda reported that the city’s crime rate fell by 3.35% compared with the same period in 2025.
He also confirmed that efforts are underway to fill 28 vacancies within the Civil Guard, bringing staffing closer to its official allocation of 208 officers, which is currently just over 80% covered.
The statements followed a Local Security Council meeting attended by Mayor Eduardo Dolón and senior representatives of the security forces. The meeting took place against a backdrop of several serious crimes, including a fatal shooting last weekend, as well as other violent incidents in recent months that have fuelled anxiety among residents and triggered widespread calls on social media for increased police presence.
Officials described Torrevieja as a uniquely challenging municipality to police, with more than 110,000 registered residents and a seasonal population that can rise to around 400,000 during the summer. The city’s structure, with over 100 residential developments and a large proportion of foreign residents, adds further complexity.
Pineda acknowledged these factors and said the central government is aware of the need for additional resources, noting that staffing levels are still recovering from cuts made after the financial crisis.
Mayor Dolón emphasized that the core issue is not which police force is deployed but the overall number of officers available. He called for an immediate increase in Civil Guard personnel ahead of the summer season and pointed to disparities with nearby Benidorm, which has a larger police presence despite a smaller population.
While he expressed confidence in both the Civil Guard and National Police, he stressed that residents are primarily seeking a stronger sense of security.
Authorities also highlighted existing reinforcements, including specialized Civil Guard units that operate across the region, bringing the effective number of officers in the wider area to nearly 300 at times.
Meanwhile, the Local Police force has grown in recent years to 185 officers, with plans to add a dedicated traffic unit. Other ongoing concerns discussed at the meeting included illegal street vending and the monitoring of more than 500 gender violence cases under Spain’s protection system.
Despite the downward trend in recorded crime, the combination of recent violent events and rapid population fluctuations continues to drive pressure on local and national authorities to strengthen policing in Torrevieja.
