There have been complaints in several areas of Elche due to the new hotspot of caravan and motorhome spread, which is illegal in the municipality. Events like Easter Monday and the Casa de Andalucía April Fair are conducted on certain days, however the Elche Local Police deny that there is a settlement in the El Pantano de Elche area. This week, a large congregation of these vehicles was found in the region, which is situated in a protected natural environment, even though officials do not recognise the formation of the location as a repeating destination for this type of overnight stay. There were occasionally as many as thirty of these trucks in the vicinity.

In the city, this phenomenon is not new. The presence of these kinds of cars has prompted the authorities to evacuate tourist settlements, primarily Europeans, in various locations, such as Cape Santa Pola, close to Arenales del Sol, the beaches of El Pinet and La Marina, or even in urban parking lots like the one on Avenida de Santa Pola.

Tourists from Denmark and France in the region

The majority of the caravans found in the El Pantano de Elche Recreation Area are Dutch, however some visitors are French.

Locals who walk there often report that the tourists are courteous and aware of their environment. Although there are no obvious signs of rubbish or filth in the region, it is always unclear where their personal rubbish goes.

In addition to keeping them company, some young ladies who frequent the area on a daily basis emphasise that the presence of these tourists gives them a sense of security because they are respectful and typically travel with their families, occasionally bringing kids or pets.

Inadequity of space for this kind of tourism

Tourists arrive at the spot directed by caravan tourism apps and user recommendations, despite the police’s insistence that this is not a regular settlement. The pleasant weather and the natural beauty of the area around the reservoir draw them in.

This week, there were instances when over thirty cars were parked, and some visitors stayed overnight and even ordered food delivery from services like Glovo. There’s also breakfast.

There isn’t enough parking in Spain as a result of the rise in RV and camper travel. The majority of these services are private and run by businesses that supply energy resources and bathrooms; camping and overnight stays outside of approved places are forbidden in Elche.

However, locals in La Marina and other parts of Elche have voiced their unhappiness, claiming that because tourists do not spend money at local eateries or businesses, this kind of tourism has no effect on the local economy.

A 60-year-old man in Elche has been arrested by the National Police for two separate sexual assaults in the last two weeks. The man was pretending to be a photographer for a report, but a 25-year-old woman there claimed that he intended to capture naked pictures of her, which would lead to sexual assault with penetration without her consent.

Officers found out after his detention that he had been detained two weeks prior for similar charges. He had even received a restraining order and been prohibited from leaving the country for assaulting a disabled woman again.

He persuaded her to shoot naked pictures

The complaint claims that the woman asked the photographer to do a photo session. He convinced her to sign a document giving him permission to take naked pictures of her at the signing ceremony. The suspect claimed it was because of her height that it was hard for her to be a model and that it was better to photograph her naked.

The man touched various body parts on the model while she posed for shots, he even took images of her intimate areas. He then pulled down his pants and stabbed her with his fingers.

The woman made it plain she wasn’t going to strip when she went on a second shoot. The complaint claims that the man attempted to reenact the first date scene, but she fled right away and came back with a friend worried he could have a recording camera in the studio. She requested that he remove any pictures he may have of her during that stay.

Arrested two weeks earlier

The woman went to the police station with a lawyer and filed a handwritten complaint. Officers then learnt that the man had previously been taken into custody for assaulting a disabled young woman in his studio, even attempting penetration.

Police detained the man at the studio as a result of both instances, and they also confiscated mobile phones, laptops, tablets, desktops, and other gadgets. The 60-year-old guy was charged with sexual assault and brought before a judge.

The Elche Local Police conducted an operation that involved inspecting thirteen hospitality and leisure outlets in various neighbourhoods, resulting in one arrest and 36 violations. The data was made public on Friday, 28th March, mainly as a reminder of the work that is being done. Councilman Juan de Dios Navarro gave the police top for their efforts.

According to local police inspector José Antonio Corrales, the majority of the infractions included drug usage and possession, including four for cocaine possession and seven for hashish, as well as improper company documentation. Additionally, there were two reports for disturbing the peace or disrespecting law enforcement, four for not following the minimum hygienic standards for food storage, one serious infraction for conducting the activity after hours and behind closed doors, and seven for irregularities found on the property, including improper documentation.

Additionally, officers found six infractions for permitting smoking in unapproved indoor locations, three for type “B” slot machine identification guide deficiencies, and one major infraction for emergency escape and door flaws. Additionally, a report was made about the selling of illegal tobacco at a pub, where 20 packets were confiscated and one individual was detained on court order and imprisoned.