Police officers from the West Midlands constabulary are to deploy to party islands Magaluf and Ibiza to help remind British tourists that local laws still apply, even if they are on holiday.
The islands, which are known for their drink, drug, and sex culture and which are extremely popular with British tourists experience a concomitant crime problem. The Guardian reports 500 British tourists were arrested in 2012 on the islands – for crimes ranging from drunken brawling to theft and rape. The British ambassador to Spain said one of the problems was that British tourists sometimes failed to fully appreciate that foreign countries have laws, just like the United Kingdom does. He said:
“The presence of UK police officers will help to remind British holidaymakers of the importance of respecting local laws and customs, ensuring that everyone has a safe and enjoyable holiday, free from trouble and crime.”
Two officers will fly out to the islands over the weekend, spending two weeks on each to assist local police and follows similar programmes where officers from France, Germany, Italy, Portugal and Morocco have performed similar patrols. The patrols, which will be performed in full British police uniform are being funded by the Foreign Office.
The deployment is part of a programme of improvements by the Spanish government for their party destinations, an attempt to break the long-held associations with hedonism and to turn them into more respectable resorts.
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