Tenerife South Faces Growing Security Divide as Crime Rates Diverge
A new Ministry of the Interior report reveals a widening public safety divide in southern Tenerife, marked by a sharp surge in violent and property crime in Arona contrasted against successful crime reduction efforts in municipalities like Adeje.
Public safety in the south of Tenerife is becoming increasingly uneven, according to the latest semi-annual report from the Ministry of the Interior. Official data shows a growing divide between municipalities, with crime rates moving in different directions: while areas like Adeje are successfully curbing criminal activity, others like Arona are seeing a sharp decline in safety.
Arona has seen the most significant increase among the region's larger towns, with total offenses rising by more than 30% in the first half of 2026. This surge includes serious crimes; homicides rose from one to four, while property crime spiked significantly. Specifically, robberies involving violence or intimidation jumped by 114%, thefts increased by 50%, and home burglaries grew by over 40%.
In contrast, Adeje reports a 20% drop in total crime, notably including a 50% decrease in drug-related offenses. However, like much of the region, Adeje is still grappling with the rise of digital crime. Cybercrime rose by 11.3% in Arona, and in Güímar, non-traditional cyber-fraud cases surged by 140%.
Other parts of the region face their own specific challenges. In Granadilla de Abona, while overall crime grew by a modest 3.5%, vehicle thefts nearly quadrupled—rising from 29 to 98 reports—and violent robberies doubled. San Miguel de Abona saw a 10% increase in total crime, fueled by a fourfold rise in home burglaries and a notable uptick in violent robberies.
Güímar recorded a 17% rise in total crime, with particular concern regarding crimes against sexual freedom, which increased from one to seven cases. Additionally, seven violent robberies were reported where previously there had been none. Conversely, Guía de Isora and Candelaria have managed to keep crime in check, with decreases of 4% and 2% respectively, including a 50% drop in serious assaults and public brawls.
These figures highlight the complex challenge facing local security forces. As crime shifts toward the digital world and violent incidents rise in specific areas, authorities will need to rethink how they allocate resources to keep the south of the island safe.