Spanish Authorities To Send 40,000 Police Officers To Tourist Spots This Summer

Spanish authorities are set to deploy more than 40,000 police officers in tourist spots over the summer.

Police patrols will be stepped up across the summer months, with officers from the National Police and the Civil Guard placed in nine areas popular with holidaymakers, in an attempt to prevent potential terror attacks.

According to Europa Press, extra security will be sent to areas including Madrid, Ibiza and Valencia from 1 July.

In total, 22,700 national police and 22,000 civil guards, the news outlet reports. They will be stationed at tourist hot-spots, including festivals, airports, beaches and festivals throughout the summer.

PA

Spain's Interior Ministry has dubbed the plan Operation Summer, with an aim to 'take full action to obtain information in order to prevent terrorist acts', while 'reinforcing security measures at events and places that will attract a large number of people'.

It will run from 1 July to 31 August in Andalusia, Asturias, the Canary Islands, Cantabria, Galicia, Madrid, Murcia and Valencia, Europa Press reports.

In the Balearic Islands, which includes Ibiza, it will run until the end of September.

Spain currently has a 'severe' terror threat level, meaning a terror attack is 'likely'.

Official advice from the British Foreign Office reads: "Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Spain. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners. The Spanish authorities take measures to protect visitors, but you should be vigilant and follow the instructions of the local authorities."

PA

No specific threats have been highlighted in reports, but according to the British Foreign Office: "Spanish police have disrupted a number of groups suspected of recruiting individuals to travel to Syria and Iraq from 2015 to the present date. Some of them expressed an intention to carry out attacks in Europe.

"There's a heightened threat of terrorist attack globally against UK interests and British nationals from groups or individuals motivated by the conflict in Iraq and Syria. You should be vigilant at this time."

In 2017 a terror attack in Barcelona resulted in the death of 16 people, leaving more than 100 injured.

Topics: World News, crime, Spain

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19