Unions Warn of Critical Police Shortages in Granadilla de Abona Ahead of Summer Season

Public safety in Granadilla de Abona is at risk as the summer season approaches, according to warnings from the CCOO and UGT unions. Representing 78% of municipal staff, these organizations report that the town’s rapid population growth has far outpaced its police resources, leading to a lack of patrols during some recent night shifts.

The core of the issue is the gap between official records and the actual number of people in the area. While the municipal register lists 58,752 residents, the true population—including unregistered residents, visitors, and the floating population—is closer to 70,000. Unions argue that this density, combined with the town’s large geographical area, the presence of Tenerife South Airport, and high levels of public activity, requires a much larger police force.

The situation is further complicated because Granadilla provides the only overnight police coverage for neighboring municipalities that lack their own early-morning services. This leaves residents vulnerable during emergencies, such as traffic accidents or domestic violence incidents, when an immediate response is critical.

Staffing levels are also well below regulatory recommendations. While Canary Islands guidelines suggest a force of 129 officers for a municipality of this size, Granadilla currently has only 43 active officers available to cover 24-hour shifts out of a total staff of 56. This leaves a shortfall of more than 70 officers. Over the past two decades, the town’s population has nearly doubled, yet the number of police officers has remained largely unchanged. Unions warn that this imbalance will only become more dangerous as activity increases this summer.