Spanish police warn of possible protests and rise in crime during the de-escalation process

Spain’s Guardia Civil has warned in an internal document of the possibility of ‘timely’ protests, disturbances or sabotage and a possible rise in crime during the early phases of de-escalation towards a new normality.

The document mentions possible protests “for political or separatist reasons,” as well as “against critical infrastructures or buildings linked to the different political parties,” reports Europa Press and El Periodico which claim to have had access to it.

Although the Guardia Civil expects the population to continue to “accept the restrictions imposed,” it points out that “some protests or disturbances that alter social tranquillity or even acts of sabotage” may appear “on an occasional basis.”

There is also talk of protests in more economically depressed areas, where more people are affected by ERTE or dismissals, and who feel “marginalised by the asymmetric de-escalation measures.”

The document is entitled Service Order 21/2020 DELTA-PAPA on ‘action by the Guardia Civil within the framework of the Transition Plan towards a new normality.’

Official sources of the Guardia Civil have stressed that this type of service order is common to deal with different scenarios of the evolution of the health crisis, so that security arrangements can be made, if necessary.

A spokesman for the Ministry of the Interior added that this is an internal Guardia Civil document that has not been sent to the department headed by Fernando Grande-Marlaska.

“Until now,” the service order states, “there has been widespread acceptance of the restrictions imposed among the population, and it is likely that this will be the tone that will be followed throughout the process towards the new normality.”

However, he adds that it cannot be ruled out that crime due to burglaries in homes or agricultural facilities will increase, as well as crimes against vulnerable groups such as the elderly, minors or victims of gender violence.

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Tara Rippin

Tara Rippin is a reporter for Spain’s largest English-speaking newspaper, Euro Weekly News, and is responsible for the Costa Blanca region.
She has been in journalism for more than 20 years, having worked for local newspapers in the Midlands, UK, before relocating to Spain in 1990.
Since arriving, the mother-of-one has made her home on the Costa Blanca, while spending 18 months at the EWN head office in Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol.
She loves being part of a community that has a wonderful expat and Spanish mix, and strives to bring the latest and most relevant news to EWN’s loyal and valued readers.

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