Tenerife Business Leaders Warn of Governance Crisis Amid Rising Crime in the South
Business groups in southern Tenerife are demanding urgent government action to address a surge in crime and vandalism, warning that the lack of security resources threatens the region's vital tourism economy.
Rising crime in the south of Tenerife has moved beyond local complaints to become a serious governance crisis that threatens the region’s economy. According to El Día, major business groups—including the Circle of Businessmen of the South of Tenerife (CEST) and the Arona Business Association (AECPA)—are now backing merchants in Las Galletas, who report a wave of nighttime robberies allegedly committed by minors.
Business leaders argue this is not an isolated issue, but a sign of declining public safety in key areas like Los Cristianos, El Fraile, Las Verónicas, and Playa de Las Américas. They warn that frequent vandalism, drug trafficking, and public disturbances are damaging the reputation of one of the island's most important tourism hubs.
CEST president Javier Cabrera notes that business owners have been trying to work with the Arona City Council since September 2025. Despite repeated warnings about the decline of public spaces, poor maintenance, and illegal activity, the business community says the council’s response has been inadequate. They point specifically to the lack of basic security measures, such as CCTV, which has been requested for over a decade.
Business owners identify two main causes for the problem: a lack of any real strategy to manage social conflict in busy areas, and a long-standing shortage of police resources. They argue that the Civil Guard is unable to cover such a large area effectively, and the lack of a nighttime police presence has created a "vacuum of authority" that local merchants can no longer tolerate.
Víctor Sánchez, president of the Costa Adeje Business Association, is now calling on local authorities to stop using temporary fixes. The business sector is demanding a coordinated security plan that includes more police officers and better surveillance technology. They warn that if the perception of insecurity is not addressed, it could permanently damage the region's image and economic future.