A man with a dozen prior robbery convictions was arrested in Benidorm after a National Police patrol saw him hidden behind a bar’s kitchen furnishings.

He gained entry by smashing open the glass entrance door and allegedly took a large quantity of seafood and fish. According to law enforcement sources yesterday, Thursday May 15th.

The suspect was previously caught for a robbery at the same place a few days earlier.

He had already been investigated and arrested a month prior for six further robberies at the same bar, as well as five other robberies perpetrated in just over a week at a hotel that was currently being renovated.

On this occasion, police spotted him crouching among the bar’s kitchen furnishings and carrying a rucksack holding a huge quantity of food taken from the institution, primarily fish and shellfish, which he meant to take.

Following police investigations, the man was turned over to the judicial authorities.

The Rojales Local Police will commence an anti-drinking campaign this weekend, which will last until the festivities in honour of San Pedro Apóstol in June and July. The police operation’s commencement coincides with a public gathering for a pilgrimage to San Isidro Labrador.

According to the Local Police, this step, like past years, is part of a prevention strategy against alcohol and drug usage in public places. This is a critical strategy designed to prevent or eliminate uncontrolled consumption of these substances, particularly among young people. This also helps to reduce conflicts on the municipality’s streets.

Alcohol drinking in public is not only forbidden, but it is also a source of consumption where establishments are not regulated, allowing children to participate due to a lack of such monitoring, it says. Further, “this alcohol consumption by these minors can lead to serious health problems, as well as more serious and even life-threatening situations, if they consume large amounts in a short period of time.”

Antonio López, Councillor for Security and Local Police, emphasises the importance of preventing these scenarios from occurring in order to ensure that festive celebrations held in public spaces go well. It is everyone’s obligation, particularly parents, to educate our children about the dangers that can result from their intake. We’re all part of the solution.

The councillor further emphasises that alcohol consumption at “famous drinking parties” is a delicate issue for the public safety of our families and neighbours, as well as a source of unhealthiness on our streets. “Our neighbours trust the authorities to use the tools at our disposal to prevent situations before they become regrettable, and for that reason, we will continue to put all our efforts into trying to respond to these needs,” she says.

The Benidorm City Council’s Mobility and Citizen Safety Departments, working with the Local Police, will start an information campaign to highlight the restrictions that ban ordinary personal mobility vehicles (PMVs), like as electric scooters, from transporting goods. The Councillor for Mobility, Francis Muñoz, stated yesterday, Thursday May 15th, that both national legislation and the municipal mobility ordinance ban transporting commodities in vehicles not specially intended for this purpose.

The mayor stated that “it was deemed essential to launch this information campaign, since, despite the regulations, it has been detected that personal mobility vehicles are being used to transport goods in our city without permission, and this is increasingly the case.”

For instance, “over the next few weeks, electric scooter users will be informed that, as a general rule, they cannot transport goods, except for vehicles specifically designed for this purpose, which do not include the most commonly used scooters.” After the information phase, “those who fail to comply with the regulations and persist in delivering goods using unauthorised vehicles will be fined.” In certain instances, the local legislation stipulates a fine of 100 euros.

“Our priority is road safety,” the councillor stated. He continued, “this information campaign will be carried out in parallel with the daily checks carried out by the Local Police to ensure that personal mobility vehicles comply with municipal ordinances and traffic regulations.”

According to Local Police data, “approximately 20 vehicles” are inspected daily at these checkpoints, in addition to “those intercepted outside the checkpoint committing violations.” During these inspections, officials concentrate on “various aspects related to road safety.” They specifically review the vehicle’s approval status to ensure that its manufacturing specifications have not been changed; compulsory civil liability insurance is required for driving; the use of helmets and reflective vests between sunset and sunrise, as well as the maximum speed of the scooter, are monitored; and they are also monitored to ensure that they do not circulate in pedestrian areas.

The Local Police have warned everyone that “the fines offenders face range from 80 to 500 euros and may also result in the immobilisation of their vehicle.”