South Tenerife Pickpocketing Jumps, Police Respond
Business owners in South Tenerife's tourist areas are warning of a significant rise in pickpocketing and thefts, prompting police to deploy more officers for the Christmas period.
Business owners in South Tenerife's tourist areas say they've seen more pickpockets lately, especially in busy shops. Thousands of visitors go to these places every day.
For many years, stealing cash or valuables from tourists and shopkeepers has been the most reported crime in the Canary Islands by far.
In the first nine months of 2025, the town of Adeje saw 600 more thefts than last year. Reports went up from 2,171 to 2,770, according to crime figures from the Ministry of Interior.
Across all the Canary Islands, these small thefts increased by 735 cases in the first nine months of the year.
Last week, the management of Siam Mall, a large and busy shopping centre in Costa Adeje, sent a warning to all its shops and restaurants. They advised them to be extra careful because of the rise in pickpocketing.
The message said: "We want to let you know that recently, we've noticed several incidents of wallet thefts and pickpockets on our premises. Please take extreme precautions."
These professional thieves often target checkout lines and outdoor seating areas at restaurants and cafes.
Siam Mall management suggests that shop owners tell their staff to watch out for anything suspicious. If they see something, they should immediately call the private security team. This helps protect customers, employees, and the businesses themselves.
For more than 20 years, it's been known that criminals, especially from Eastern Europe and Romania, come to South Tenerife and other main tourist spots between October and April to commit thefts.
Some of these criminals are highly skilled and hard to spot. They are quick and agile, and they often look just like tourists.
On Tuesday, the National Police announced they have put more officers in busy shopping areas across the Canary Islands for the Christmas period, as part of their "Safe Commerce Plan."
In the coming weeks, police will step up their efforts with special operations in crowded places. This includes shopping and entertainment areas, as well as Christmas markets.