Regional Police Make Their Mark This Summer in Fuerteventura

“The shock plan of the autonomous police in Fuerteventura has increased the perception of security.”

The Councilor of Presidency, Public Administrations, Justice and Security of the Canary Islands Government, Nieves Lady Barreto, together with the President of the Cabildo of Fuerteventura, Lola García, presented the island’s mayors with the results of the “Shock and Reinforcement” plan of the Autonomous Police.

Background

• The initiative was launched in mid‑February as part of an operational agreement reached by the Cabildo to:

  • Increase surveillance in selected municipalities,
  • Prevent crime across the territory, and
  • Respond more efficiently to citizens’ demands, in coordination with town halls and security forces.

• The presentation took place in the plenary hall of the island’s corporation.

Statements

“Their presence has contributed to raising the perception of security on the island, which was our main objective, as we have confirmed with residents and merchants,” said Nieves Lady Barreto.

• She added that, although the actions have been specific so far, the government hopes to begin a territorial deployment during this legislature, opening a permanent police station in Pájara and extending permanent presence to other non‑capital islands.
• The plan will be supported by 141 new CGPC agents who will enter the academy in October.

“When we talk about the Canary Police we also include local police forces, and we should be proud of the 421 new officers added since 2023, now patrolling the Canary municipalities,” she continued. “Now it is up to the Ministry to do its job and update the Civil Guard and National Police catalogs.”

Lola García emphasized:

“From the Cabildo of Fuerteventura we continue holding meetings to address citizen security with the different administrations. This has been one of our major demands since we took office, and we must thank Councilor Nieves Lady Barreto for the rapid response that has reinforced the presence of the Canary Police on the island, complementing the excellent work of local police, the National Police and the Civil Guard.”

• García also stressed the need for the State to have a first‑hand, on‑the‑ground understanding of the situation, especially in areas with higher population pressure that require additional security resources.

The meeting also included Vice‑Councilor of Justice and Security Cesáreo Rodríguez and the Chief Commissioner of the General Body of the Canary Police, Antonio Almenara.

Operational Results

• Police units were deployed in Puerto del Rosario, Pájara, La Oliva, Tuineje, and Antigua, forming two teams of twelve officers each, including a canine unit.
• Up to mid‑September, the forces recorded:
  • 317 administrative acts
  • 25 arrests
  • 41 summonses

Incident Breakdown

• Drug consumption was the most common issue, followed by fights and public order disturbances.
• April–May: higher number of administrative acts.
• June–July: peak in arrests and summonses.
• August: activity stabilized as the police focused on the tourist influx and scheduled events.

Municipal Highlights

• Pájara: 160 acts and 19 arrests – more than half of the island’s total activity.
• Antigua: 65 acts (all in April), a temporary spike.
• Puerto del Rosario: 18 acts in July, with lower numbers in other months.
• Tuineje: 35 acts over the entire period, the lowest and most dispersed activity.

Previous Deployments

This is not the first temporary special deployment of the General Body of the Canary Police in a non‑capital island.

• Last year, a similar operation was launched in Valle Gran Rey (Gomera), lasting several weeks until the sense of insecurity was alleviated.
• A comparable deployment is currently active in the municipalities of Valle de Aridane (La Palma).