Tenerife Business Leaders Demand Urgent Action Amid Rising Crime in Southern Resorts
Business leaders in southern Tenerife are demanding urgent government intervention and increased surveillance to combat rising crime rates that threaten the region's tourism and commercial stability.
Rising crime in key areas of southern Tenerife—including Las Galletas, Los Cristianos, and Playa de las Américas—has sparked serious concern among local residents and business owners. The Circle of Businessmen and Professionals of the South of Tenerife (CEST) warns that this trend is not only disrupting daily life but also threatening the region's vital tourism and commercial sectors. They are now calling for urgent government action.
Led by Javier Cabrera, the association is pushing for better surveillance, specifically the installation of security cameras in high-risk areas. They argue this would deter criminals and help police do their jobs more effectively. There is growing frustration, however, as similar projects for areas like Las Verónicas and El Fraile have been stalled for nearly a decade, despite previous attempts to get them off the ground.
The impact of this insecurity goes beyond businesses. The political group Más por Arona has pointed to repeated thefts at the CEIP Las Galletas school, which have particularly damaged facilities used by young children. While the Arona City Council recently added three trainee officers to the local force, business owners argue this is nowhere near enough to address the scale of the problem.
The CEST maintains that security is essential for the region's economic health. They are calling for a proactive strategy that improves coordination between the Local, Regional, and National Police, as well as the Civil Guard. The group insists that the current level of crime is unacceptable and is urging public officials to stop the delays, better manage police resources in vulnerable areas, and restore safety for both residents and the tourists who support the local economy.