ITV News visits Benidorm over holiday safety fears

Karen Maling Cowles and Chris Choi

FOLLOWING a spate of media coverage regarding holidaymakers being mugged, going missing or being scammed on the Costa Blanca Chris Choi, Consumer Editor for ITV News was in Benidorm today (Wednesday), to find out how safe the resort is for visiting tourists.

The well-known reporter, who has delivered some of the most powerful stories for ITV News by getting to the heart of consumer issues, spent the day visiting  the local area and talking with Sara Jane Morris, British Consul in Aiicante, and the National Police, before meeting with local businesswoman Karen Maling Cowles.

Karen, who works closely with the British Consulate in Alicante and British Embassy in Madrid to help improve safety within Benidorm, was able to tell Chris about the many improvements that are being made to assist anyone in crisis whilst in the resort. This included the new SATE office – currently under construction in the Rincon de Loix area of the town – more lighting for areas such as the locally known “yellow brick road”, increased policing in the Guiri area (British square) and how tourists could help themselves by being vigilant regarding their personal safety in addition to protecting their belongings.

On Monday Karen organised a meeting between Juan Bautista Alonso, the National Police Commisioner for resident programmes and participation, and local businesses.

The meeting, which was the first of a planned monthly get together, allowed locals to express their concerns with the Commissioner on issues such as the pea men, prostitutes and the need for people to make a denunicia if they have been a victim of crime.

The ITV coverage will be aired it a couple of weeks time.

Author badge placeholder
Written by

Euro Weekly News Media

Share your story with us by emailing newsdesk@euroweeklynews.com, by calling +34 951 38 61 61 or by messaging our Facebook page www.facebook.com/EuroWeeklyNews

Comments


    • Jason

      04 June 2017 • 00:15

      I was in benidorm and down to cartagene 2 weeks ago it’s no different to any other big tourist destination in Europe now a day’s soon as they let certain countries in the eu it started happening lot more than your local pickpockets the prostitution is becoming terrible In some places in Spain but overall it’s a fantastic place to holiday keep up the good work Spain 🙂

    • Ozz

      18 June 2017 • 00:32

      Get a bleedin grip! I lived in Benidorm in my early 20’s. (17 years ago). It was always bad. I had been pick pocketed, scammed by people claiming to be police then take everything from your wallet without you even realising….. My Grandmother has been going 3 times a year for 45 years. 30 years ago my Grandad used to hide his money in his sock because of the theives in Beni. Guess social media etc makes it more visible. That is all.

    • CJ

      31 May 2017 • 23:05

      Any excuse for a “jolly” on the Costa Blanca whilst the weather turns coll & wet in England

    • Julie

      31 May 2017 • 22:08

      The SATE office was promised in 2015 but still not finished.

    • Jean Hunter

      31 May 2017 • 23:19

      They must address this issue if they continue to be soft on crimes against holiday makers the resort will end up being used only by hen and stag dos and this will ruin the resort and encourage more criminals to the resort listen to the holidaymakers who have seen a huge difference for the worse in their favourite resort and act now

    • Nic

      02 June 2017 • 08:55

      Just returned from Friday to Friday break ,Hotel ,weather and place visited good, plenty of Police around main beach areas.
      Stag and hens party numbering upwards of 10 on sea front very loud boisterous and very intimidating. To quote a person who had been visiting for year , Benidorm has lost its sparkle to stags and hen , it is a very different place at night . drunkenness, fighting and dirty streets. The danger is that the stags and hen spend money on drink in bar, but they don’t necessarily spend money in the ordinary shops . don’t let it get out of hand

    • Paul

      02 June 2017 • 18:47

      I have recently been to Benidorm. I witnessed the pea men scamming tourists . I noticed two different groups of pea men just yards apart with there lookouts and pickpockets working with them . The prostitution problem is rife too . They stand out side certain hotels looking for drunk groups of tourists to rob them . It seems much more needs to be done to stop the ongoing problem in Benidorm

    • Caroline Tyszka

      03 June 2017 • 08:39

      Programme will be aired on June 22, ITV’s Tonight programme.

    • L Johnson

      04 June 2017 • 21:03

      Not Benidorm but was in Torremolinos and I was nearly caught in the scam where they ask for directions whilst sitting in the back of a car and then want to shake your hand and as they do they rip your bracelets off and maybe even drive off with you hanging on if they cant get the stuff of your hand. I realised just in time and walked away and for the rest of the month I was there I took all my jewellery off and the pickpockets and beggars are rife there, its has put me off have to say. Shame

    • Kathleen Hodgkins

      18 June 2017 • 06:21

      18/01/17 while walking across the road my bag was dipped. I didnt even know these 2 women were next to me. They are so quick.

    Comments are closed.