Adeje Launches Beach Unit to Combat Illegal Sales, Services

Adeje City Council is starting a new Beach Unit within its local police force this November. The unit's main goal is to stop illegal street selling and unlicensed services in public tourist areas, especially on the municipality's beaches and promenades.

This move is part of a wider plan to control the rise in these activities, which harm safety, public order, and the town's reputation. Local Police figures show that between January 1 and October 27, 2025, there were 17 reports for illegal street selling and eight for unlicensed services.

In two of these situations, legal action was taken for possible intellectual property crimes, due to the large number of items seized.

The new unit will always be present in coastal areas, patrolling places like Bahía del Duque, Playa de Troya, El Bobo, La Pinta, Fañabé, and tourist avenues such as Rafael Puig Lluvina. Its job will be to prevent and address minor legal breaches, the improper use of public space, and potential criminal acts.

Adeje's Security Councillor, Mercedes Vargas Delgado, stated yesterday that tackling illegal street selling and unlicensed services "isn't just about fines, but part of a comprehensive strategy to ensure public safety and protect the town's image." The councillor highlighted the collaboration between different authorities and the importance of the upcoming Beach Unit, which "will strengthen police presence along the coastline and provide a more immediate response to any incident."

Items seized in 2025 included costume jewelry, glasses, sportswear, bags believed to be fake, and perishable food.

The eight reports for unlicensed services covered activities such as offering massages, mobile hairdressing, styling and braiding hair, and street performances without permission. Among the items seized were oils, towels, chairs, and signs.

Over the past two years, Adeje has added thirty new officers to its local police force. The council felt this was necessary due to the significant population increase the town experiences during peak tourist season, when the number of people can triple compared to registered residents.

The effort to stop these practices also involves working with other security forces. During the same period, Adeje's Local Police took part in 24 joint operations with the National Police and 27 with the Civil Guard, many of these in collaboration with the local force's own Special Canine Unit.

They have also carried out operations with the Canarian Police and environmental agents from the Cabildo (island council), particularly in the La Caleta Site of Scientific Interest, where preventive actions have been taken.

Criminal offenses dealt with include possession of drugs, as well as the sealing and closure of cannabis clubs.