Police tackle street drinking in Almuñecar

ALMUÑECAR has launched a large police deployment to combat the ‘botellon’ street drinking culture.
Concerns were sparked back on July 18 when the partying epicentre moved from the Paseo del Altillo, traditionally known as the town’s nightlife area, to the beach just opposite to this paseo. There, as many as 2,000 people gathered to carry out a major botellon event, despite posters indicating that those seen drinking alcohol in the streets could risk fines of up to €60,000.
Faced with much anti-social behaviour during summer weekends on this beach, the town council has decided to pursue stricter measures to deal with this problem.
“Guardia Civil and Local Police officers’ presence will be reinforced,” said Citizens’ Safety councillor, Juan Jose Ruiz Joya. “Officers will be carrying out ‘preventive’ activities in the area and later will be prosecuting and fining those who do not comply with the measures. People seen drinking alcohol have to face an official report issued by police.”
“This is a problem we need to address because it damages local businesses,” stressed Mr Ruiz, who added that the large number of youths is difficult to control due to a lack of law enforcement personnel.
The new measure went into force on Friday (July 24), when the presence of several police groups in the Altillo promenade dissuaded many from carrying out the botellon there, and pushed them into the bars and clubs which were filled to capacity.
“We have already fined eight people and confiscated bags with alcohol,” said a Guardia Civil officer.