Spanish Guardia Civil increases security for summer months

USPA NEWS - Throughout the summer months, officers of the Spanish Guardia Civil will be working alongside officers of the French Gendarmerie, the Moroccan Royal Gendarmerie, the Portuguese Guardia Nacional Republicana, the German police force and the Italian Carabinieri to provide joint services to the public.

These citizen security services will be provided in Andalusia, the Region of Valencia, the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands and Galicia. These mixed international patrols form part of the Safe Tourism Plan implemented by the State Secretariat of Security under which the Spanish Guardia Civil will endeavour to coordinate joint security services with the police forces of those countries home to the largest number of tourists visiting Spain during the summer months.

The deployment of these mixed patrols in the most popular areas among tourists coming from these countries is not only aimed at increasing security but also fostering international cooperation in the fight against cross-border criminal activity. The mixed patrols are mainly aimed at providing greater specialised policing services to tourists coming from the same country of origin as the officers forming part of the patrols in order to respond to any citizen security issue under the leadership and guidance of the Spanish Guardia Civil officers forming part of the same patrol.

The services will focus on the busiest areas in terms of tourist activity, especially beaches, hotels and urbanisations. Similarly, and as part of the same Safe Tourism Plan, a total of six Spanish Guardia Civil officers will be deployed in France and Italy this summer. In Italy, three Spanish officers will work with the Italian Carabinieri in Venice, Amalfi and Sorrento for two months. In France, two Guardia Civil officers are working with and supporting the French police during the Tour de France. Another Spanish officer will be sent to Château de Chambord, between Tours and Orleans, for the month of August.

Spain is a major tourism destination with close to 53 million tourists visiting the country every year, thus making it one of the leading destinations anywhere in the world. The tourism sector is the largest part of the Spanish economy in terms of revenue, accounting for approximately 11% of GDP. The significant importance of promoting and defending the well-being and security of citizens in this sector means it is one of strategic national interest for Spain.

Spain is one of the safest countries in the European Union, with a crime rate far below the EU average. This is undoubtedly an important factor with direct repercussions on the strong competitiveness of the Spanish tourism sector. Every effort should be made to maintain the country's position in this regard. The direct effect of security on tourism and the strategic importance of the tourism industry for Spain have led to this sector receiving special treatment in terms of designing and implementing specific measures to combat crime.