Torrevieja Crime Figures Increase Against National Decrease

The Interior Ministry has detailed crime figures across Spain for the first half of the year, showing how reported crime is continuing to decline.

Overall, crime has reduced by 1.9% compared to the first six months of 2014. Intentional homicide and murder fell by 26.5%, robbery with violence and intimidation fell by 12.1%, burglary fell by 12%, violent crime fell by 10.6% and robberies fell by 9.9%.

In addition, there were also declines in other crimes including theft of motor vehicles which fell by 3.8%, drug trafficking by 3.4%, thefts by 1.3% and damage by 1%.

Unfortunately, on a local level the figures were not quite so positive. In Torrevieja, intentional homicide and murder increased by 50%, burglary increased by 27% and robberies by 9%. There was a 55% decrease in drug trafficking, with violence, robbery and theft of motor vehicles all falling slightly.

In Orihuela, intentional killings increased by 100%, but it should be noted that the figure was zero previously, and so the single tragic death is what caused that spike. Robbery with violence also increased by 2%, but all other categories saw a decline, including a 69% drop in drug trafficking, a 26% drop in theft of motor vehicles and a 24% decline in burglaries.

Provincially, across Alicante, all crime fell with the exception of intentional killing which increased by 142%, whereas at a regional level it was a similar picture, all crime has fallen with the exception of intentional killing which increased by 37%.

The national crime rate remains at 44.3 crimes and offences per thousand inhabitants, maintaining Spain´s position as one of the safest countries in Europe.