Letters of complaint regarding the conduct of the National Police can be addressed to the Head of Police (Comisario Jefe Provincial) of the National Police Provincial Headquarters (Comisaría Provincial) under whose jurisdiction the police station falls.
The address for the Alicante Province National Police Headquarters under which jurisdiction the Benidorm National Police station falls is the following:
Comisaría Provincial de Alicante - Cuerpo Nacional de Policía
calle Isabel la Católica, 25
03007 Alicante
Spain
Complaints can also be submitted on line at the website of the Spanish Ministry of Home Affairs (Ministerio del Interior) (click on the ‘Formulario de Quejas y Sugerencias’).
If you wish to submit a complaint in person, feedback/complaint forms (Impresos del Libro de Quejas y Sugerencias) are available at all police stations.
Alternatively, any mistreatment by the police can be reported directly to the court which has jurisdiction over the place of detention.
The details for the courts in Benidorm are as follows:
Juzgados de Benidorm
Passeig Dels Tolls, 2
03502 Benidorm
Alicante
Spain
How to Make a complaint regarding the police
Should any reply from the above authorities not meet with your satisfaction, you might wish to consider contacting the National Ombudsman (Defensor del Pueblo), whose contact details are as follows:
Defensor del Pueblo
calle Zurbano, 42
28010 Madrid
Spain
tel: 900 101 025 / (0034) 91 432 79 00
fax: (0034) 91 308 1158
e-mail:
You can also visit http://www.defensordelpueblo.es and click on the version in English for instructions on how to submit a complaint.
We would suggest that the letter of complaint includes clear details of allegations (such as date, location, circumstances and details of the incident). When available, the report should include any relevant medical reports, photographs and witness statements if available.
We would also advise that you consider making your concerns known to your lawyer, who may be able to make representations on your behalf. In case you wish to consult an independent lawyer.
This information is direct for the British Consulate in Alicante
SPANISH POLICE - WHO THEY ARE AND WHAT THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SPANISH POLICE
Find information about all aspects of crime in Benidorm in this section of the website.
Just like any major holiday resort, there is always the issue of crime. For those planning a visit this may help you identify some of the known pickpockets in Benidorm
KEEP YOURSELF AND YOUR BELONGS SAFE.
These two in the picture below are part of a much larger gang who prey on tourists in town, we are not quite sure if the one pretending to be pregnant is male or female, but it does look more like a man in disguise, he/she does have a very distinctive tattoo on the right leg.
They work in 2 different ways:- generally when you first arrive and are tired and looking to get into your hotel quickly.
They are normally seen loitering outside the drop off point for Hotel Flash, Sol Pelicanos Hotels etc
1) They will either pretend to help you down the stairs whilst trying to rob you of your hand luggage, money or other valuables.
2) They will watch you take your suitcase from the coach and whilst you are waiting for your friends/partner to get their bags they will attempt to open your hand luggage.
Make sure you have your wits about you when getting off the coach. Keep your suitcase and hand luggage with you at all times, push you luggage not pull it behind you and do not accept help from them in any way.
If they do approach you make a scene as they do not like any attention drawn to them.
Pickpockets in Benidorm
BE AWARE AND KEEP SAFE.
These are 4 Spanish pickpockets who "work" in the Rincon de Loix area. Keep your eyes open and your valuables safe and at all costs avoid them, If you see them heading your way, cross the road.
Pickpockets in Benidorm
Also keep an eye out for these 2, seen here with an empty pushchair.
May 2017 - This man has been caught recently on camera, targeting people outside the Flash Hotel. He is a pickpocket and targets people as they arrive picking up their suitcases when they are getting off the transfer buses. Please be vigilant as to who and what is going on around you.
Pickpockets in Benidorm
Punishing the pickpockets
Although these people are well-known to the police and courts, and some may have been arrested dozens of times. And on each occasion, within hours they are back out on the streets, free to steal again. How come? Because under Spanish law, non-violent theft of amounts under €400 are not covered by the criminal code. Under Spanish law, if you steal something worth less than €400 it’s a falta (misdemeanour), not a delito (crime). If caught, they may be fined, around €50, but however many times they re-offend, it remains a misdemeanour and as an offence it is not cumulative.
Some courts have issued restraining orders on pickpockets, meaning that if they enter certain areas they face an immediate prison sentence, but this has raised a number of legal and ethical questions. The law is not specific enough, meaning that it is open to the individual interpretation of judges.
TIPS ON HOW TO STAY SAFE
We often hear horror stories of people who have been robbed, conned or violated in some manner while on Holiday in Benidorm. There are even those who set out to promote these stories in the claim they are trying to help. In reality they are frightening people and misleading them. They are not helping anyone. They are destroying the image of Europe's most popular holiday resort.
What is it that creates an environment for pick pockets, con men and the like, to exploit us? The answer is simple. Large numbers of people with plenty of distraction. Holiday resort, Markets, shopping centres, concerts and the like. The very things that describe Benidorm to a tee. That is, large numbers of people all year round and we all know the amount of distractions available in Benidorm.
But let's look at the facts.
FACT - Benidorm is Europe's most popular holiday resort.
FALSE - Benidorm has the highest rate of crime in any Holiday resort in Europe.
FACT - It is not even listed in the top 10
In reality, the chances of losing your hard earned savings to a pickpocket in Benidorm is much lower than in many other Holiday resorts.
HOWEVER Here are a few tips to watch out for while in Benidorm, so we can decrease those numbers even lower.
Safety in Numbers. If you fortunate enough to be travelling with a group. Stay with the group. Pickpockets and muggers look for easy targets. At football matches there are large groups of people with plenty of distraction. But pickpockets are rare. Why? Who in their right mind would walk into a crowd of testosterone fired men and attempt to mug one of them? Keep with your friends, as much as possible.
Do not walk home alone, especially if you are a bit under the weather. People who are drunk cannot defend themselves very well. They become the easy target.
Do not carry unnecessary (wear) valuables that can create temptation to the thieves. The higher the reward, the more risk they will take to get it.
Beware of friendly strangers. Props at bars will carry identification. No identification, Walk on.
Beware of distraction by touch. A pickpocket will often try to distract you by touching you. When you become aware of a touch on your shoulder, you do not feel a hand in your pocket. Typical examples, someone pretends to brush dirt off the back of your shirt or to fix your collar. Another one is to place their leg between your legs and jiggle their leg about like it is some sort of a joke. You stand confused while they empty your pocket.
Ladies carry your handbag in a manner where it cannot be easily grabbed. Do not leave it sitting on the chair beside you in restaurants etc. Unless of course you can run exceptionally fast in high heels to retrieve it.
PEA MEN These are con men and most of the crowd around them are part of the gang. Between Players, Watchers and Look outs, not to mention the pickpockets in the area. There could be as many as 30 of them in the same team. DO NOT STOP. KEEP WALKING. The best way to put these people out of business is to take away their customers. However, trying to warn others could be very dangerous. The person you are warning could well be part of the team. PLEASE KEEP WALKING - More detailed information on the Pea/Potato men can be found HERE
Finally avoid dark quiet streets. Most of Benidorm´s dark quiet streets are perfectly safe. What thief wants to sit in a street no-one walks up, in the hopes someone, who comes under the easy target category, might show up one night. However some of these streets can be well known shortcuts to the beach etc during the day. Strangers to the town may well use them at night as well. If you know Benidorm, you will know which streets are safe. If not, play safe and stay in the busy ones.
If you are unlucky enough to have been targeted please report the incident, details on how to do this can be found HERE. If it is not reported then the council do not have the right statistics to ensure we have the necessary number of police to patrol the areas.
More information about CRIME in Benidorm HERE
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Hopefully a webpage that will not be needed by many, but if a relative or someone close to you goes missing your anxiety will be overwhelming; if they go missing in another country this can be even worse. Your concern about his or her personal safety and well being will probably be magnified by the uncertainty of how to start a search in a foreign country with a culture, language and system which may be different to your own. This webpage will help you with information as to who to contact to get a search started overseas, and what details you can provide to help in this.
DETAILS OF MISSING PEOPLE IN THE BENIDORM AREA
What to Do
If a relative or friend goes missing abroad, this Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) guide will tell you what you can do and who to contact.
What you can do if someone goes missing abroad
If after doing this you are still concerned:
1. Report the missing person to the authorities in the country they went missing
Responsibility for searching in other countries rests with the local authorities where they went missing, usually the local police.
You should report the case to the authorities in that country. If you need advice on how to do this, you can contact the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) 24/7 on 020 7008 5000.
In some countries, the process will be different to the UK, including the level of service. For example, they may not accept a missing person report until a certain amount of time has passed. In some countries, they will not accept a report in English so you may have to arrange and pay for a translation.
What information should you provide when filing a missing persons report in Spain
To help in the search it is a good idea to gather together as much information as you can about the missing person and their recent activity and travel plans as this could be essential in helping the relevant authorities to find them.
Take the following information or as much as you can with you to the police station:-
The missing person’s full name,
date of birth and place of birth
His/her mobile phone number and email address
The last time you or anyone else that you know had contact with him/her and where this was
His/her travel plans
His/her passport details
His/her travel insurance details
Any travel blog/personal website/social network details
Bank or building society account details (the police may ask the bank or building society for details of when and where the account was last accessed)
A recent photo
When you were expecting the missing person to contact you and why
Whether there was anything in his/her last email/phone call/text/blog/social network message which could give a clue as to whereabouts and/or who he/she could have been with
Whether the families of fellow travellers could provide any useful information
Whether there is anyone else the missing person could have been in touch with
Any other relevant information which could be of use in the search such including any physical or mental health issues.
The search The search will be carried out by the local police in the country where the person has gone missing, but the UK police, the Foreign Office, Interpol and the relevant British Embassy may also be involved depending on the nature of the disappearance.
sosdesaparecidos can also help
sosdesaparecidos is a non-profit association established in Caravaca de la Cruz - Murcia - in 2010 but which has been active since 2007 and collaborates in the dissemination of missing persons of any age, whose family members do not know what has happened or where find them.
Missing Persons Report, Spain Specialist help if the missing person is a child
If a child has gone missing whilst you are visiting another European Union country, you should contact both the UK police and the police local to where you are staying abroad.
You can also call the hotline number 116000 which can put you in contact with a charity in the country you are calling from which deals with missing children. This number does not operate throughout the whole of Europe, but should operate in Belgium, Denmark, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia and Spain.
It also applies in the UK. If a child may have been abducted If you believe your child has been taken abroad without your consent, or your child is being kept in a foreign country following an overseas trip, you should contact the UK police and the Foreign Office (see contact details above).
There are also 3 other organisations which may be able to help you:
1. The International Child Abduction and Contact Unit (‘ICACU’). This is part of the Official Solicitor’s office (a part of the Ministry of Justice) and is the central authority for international child abduction.
The contact details are: - telephone: 020 7911 7045/7047, or out of hours: 0116 2556 234 - email:
The ICACU can provide a leaflet with information and advice in relation to international child abduction and contact, and it also holds a referral list of specialist solicitors who may be able to help you.
2. Reunite International Child Abduction Centre (‘Reunite’). This is a UK charity specialising in international parental child abduction and it runs a telephone advice line which gives information and support to parents, family members and guardians. The contact details are: - advice line: 0116 2556 234 - telephone: 0116 2555 345 - email:
3. Parents and Abducted Children Together (PACT). This organisation campaigns, conducts research and helps to make policy to secure the better protection of children who are abducted.
Their website also contains advice on steps for parents to take if their child has been abducted to a Hague Convention country.
Although the organisation does not operate a helpline, it does have advice available on its website. - telephone: 07506 448116 - email:
2. Report the missing person to the UK police
It can help if you file a missing person report with the local police in the UK as well as in the country they went missing. You can do this with the local police where you live, or where the missing person lives in the UK.
You should make a specific request that they inform the National Crime Agency’s Interpol bureau (or the SIRENE bureau if they went missing in the EU or EFTA), which can liaise with the police abroad.
UK police forces do not usually become involved in an investigation in another country. Even where they are ready to, they can only do this at the invitation of the authorities in that country.
3. Contact the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
You can contact the FCDO by phone 24/7 for help or advice from anywhere in the world by calling 020 7008 5000, or by contacting your nearest British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. You do not have to wait to report the person missing to the FCDO.
Try to provide as much information as possible about the missing person, for example:
How the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) can help
The FCDO can:
The FCDO cannot:
Additional things to consider for those missing abroad
The missing person’s bank, building society or internet service provider may be able to give you some information on when their account was last accessed. They may require official police intervention before agreeing to do this.
If you know the missing person’s mobile phone IMEI number (a unique 15 digit code associated with the phone handset), it can sometimes be used by police in other countries to block or locate the phone.
If you decide to travel to the region where your relative or friend went missing, have a clear idea of what you hope to achieve. Consider if language will be a problem, and if you will have to pay for a translator or interpreter.
Authorities in other countries may be reluctant to pass on information, or to treat your situation differently to that of other missing persons in their country. The FCDO or UK police cannot insist that they do.
You might want to initiate a poster, leaflet or social media campaign in the country where they went missing. The FCDO can provide information on organisations that have experience in tracing missing persons that can help you do this, and any local printing companies and locations where a poster can be placed.
Searches can sometimes be publicised through press conferences or TV appeals either in the UK or in the country where your relative or friend is missing. If you wish to do this abroad, the FCDO may be able to advise you on how to do this.
In some countries, it is possible to offer rewards for information. It is important to consider the implications of offering a reward. You may want to discuss this with an organisation that has experience in tracing missing persons.
Some insurance policies will cover search and rescue costs. If you have details of your friend of relative’s insurance, you can contact their insurer to check if this is possible.
Organisations that can provide advice and support
These organisations can offer assistance and information to families of missing people abroad. As independent organisations, the FCDO cannot be held responsible in any way for their advice and/or any decisions and outcomes that result from this.
Lucie Blackman Trust
A UK charity, formerly Missing Abroad, which supports families and friends of people who are missing abroad
Missing People
A UK charity dedicated to help bring missing children and adults back to their families
Children and Families Across Borders (CFAB)
A UK charity working to reunite children and their families separated by international borders
Look 4 Them
A website with links to UK organisations that can help you find relatives in the UK and in other countries
Organisations that can help to trace family members
For advice on tracing someone you have lost contact with, see the UK Police Lost Contact Factsheet, available from the UK Missing Persons Unit.
Missing Persons Family Tracing, the Salvation Army
Family tracing service.
www.salvationarmy.org.uk/finding-people
British Red Cross
An international tracing and message service to help find missing relatives abroad if they have been separated by war, natural disaster or migration.
www.redcross.org.uk/get-help/find-missing-family
Whilst this information has been provided in good faith, it should not be taken as legal advice. For information tailored to your circumstances, please contact your police force, solicitor or an advisory organisation as appropriate to your query.
Missing Persons Post - Information here is updated when people in this area are missing.
What is the AlertCops?
It is a citizen security alert system of the State Law Enforcement Authorities (FFCCSE in Spanish)
The goal is to create a universal access to every public citizen security service, so any person, regardless their language, origin or auditory or vocal disability, can send to the State Law Enforcement Authorities (Police and Civil Guard) an alert about a crime or security incident whether they are victims or witnesses of such.
Once the registration process is completed and the access validated by a code that will be sent via SMS to the mobile phone number provided, the application will show a home screen with the following options, which may be selected by clicking the corresponding icon:
This service allows a citizen to send an alert from a mobile device 'smartphone' straight to the police bodies in a simple an intuitive manner, so they can be assisted quickly and efficiently.
2020 New additions to AlertCops
The AlertCops app of the Ministry of the Interior includes a new alert to immediately report cases of illegal housing occupation
New AlertCops alert to report hate crimes is now available
SOS button
Allows you to send an immediate notice to your guardians with your location and a 10-second audio. Offers reinforced protection for vulnerable groups: instantly alerts the nearest police forces for urgent attention.
AlertCops' benefits are:
How do I install it?
The AlertCops service is a mobile application that is installed in a mobile device 'smartphone'.
This application is available for these devices:
Once the installation is finished and at its first execution, this login screen will show up:
If this is your first time using the application, click on 'Enroll' to finish the registration process. All the fields marked with * must be completed. Remember that the more information you provide, more efficient will be the help offered by the FFCCSE, if necessary.
To finish the validation process you will receive a code via SMS. This code, together with your identification information and password, ensures that only you, from your registered mobile device, can send security alerts.
In the event of loss of this code, you can request a new one right away or finish the validation process later. Also, you will be requested to accept the terms of use that can be read here: here.
Users are allowed to have associated to their account three different mobile phones. Click "Add new mobile phone" to do this action.
After enrol and validation, the application will open the alert menu. To alter users data you can do it into "My data" section in AlertCops
How does it work?
Once the registration and validation process has been completed, the user will access the main menu. You will have to provide your main details again when the app is uninstalled or if you change your mobile device.
From the main menu, you can raise a new alert by choosing the icon which best describes the situation that is going to be informed. Then, you will be required to provide some additional information: where, who and when has happened the incident. Finally, it is requested to confirm the submission of the alert, which will be forwarded to law enforcement together with the registration data and geographical location. In addition to this, it is possible to raise a test alert from the main menu. This feature has been created to verify that the service is working properly. You can also request information via chat or call the nearest emergency dispatch centre (Police or Civil Guard)
By pressing the CHATS icon , the system will display the ongoing alerts, their status, the messages that are linked to them, and the chat with the agent (if this has been the case). The chat feature can only be enabled from the emergency dispatch centre. Once the alert has been managed and closed, the chat will be disabled.
From the MAP feature, you can test and verify the location and accuracy level which is going to be shown by the mobile device.
The MORE button gives you access to additional features such as the possibility of consulting and modifying your personal data, displaying the user guide, FAQs and legal conditions.
Protecting Your Valuables on the Beach. You would be surprised how many are affected by crime whilst sunbathing and swimming.
A trip to the beach should be something you look forward to. You put on your sunscreen and other protective wear, lay out on the beach, experience the water. But nothing can put a damper on your fun more than being a victim of beach theft. Returning to your beach site to find that some of your belongings have been stolen. Below are some tips to help you keep your belongs safe.
Spanish Beach Flag Safety System
The best beaches on the Costa Blanca
1. Leave all valuables such as jewellery and expensive cameras in your hotel safe.
2. Only take one credit card, your photo copied I.D It is a legal requirement to have some form of photo id on you here in Spain at all times) and the amount of cash you will need for the day.
3. Try not to leave your belongings unattended on in plain sight on the beach or in your car. If you leave things in the car put them in boot out of sight.
4. If you are going to the beach on your own, consider purchasing a waterproof pouch for your phone and case that you can take swimming with you, test it at home first though.
5. When you are going for a walk on the beach or a dip in the sea and don´t want to bring everything with you, try this, clean out an empty sunscreen bottle and stow your keys, money and phone inside, just make sure you do not use a see through bottle.
6. Who said that coolers were only for carrying edibles? Stick your keys, sunglasses, and other valuables in a bag, wrap them up in a small towel to prevent freezing, and place them in your cool box.
7. If you carry a beach bag or backpack, use one that is understated and does not look designer or expensive.
8. Please DO NOT use the beach Sellers going round selling drinks and offering massages, they are not all what they seem. Find out More HERE
9. Another tip for hiding your belongs, take a clean disposable nappy with you and wrap your things up in that to make it look like a used nappy.
10. Use common sense and trust your gut instincts, is something does not look or feel right it probably isn't.
If you spot anyone that is acting in a suspicious manor call the police on 112
For a list of emergency numbers click HERE
For lots more advice about keeping both yourself and your possessions safe read this page.
Looking for hotels and apartments close to the beaches in Benidorm? Use this Page
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