Marbella Sees a Surge in Violent Robberies in 2022
In a shocking revelation, the number of violent robberies reported to the police in Marbella in the first half of 2022 has nearly doubled compared to the same period three years ago. The data, released by Spain’s Interior Ministry, shows a 90% increase in ‘robberies using violence’ from January to June compared to the same period in 2019.
Comparison with Pre-Pandemic Year
The year 2019 was chosen for comparison instead of 2020 or 2021 due to the unique circumstances created by the Covid pandemic, which saw a drop in crime rates. The local police of Marbella in Puerto Banus have been grappling with this surge in crime.
General Criminality and Sexual Crimes on the Rise
The data also revealed a 22.7% increase in general criminality in Marbella, despite the installation of new video security cameras around the town in a bid to enhance security. Sexual crimes have also seen a rise of 19%, with the same number of cases (37) reported in the first half of 2019 and 2022.
Home Burglaries Show an Upward Trend
Home burglaries are also on the rise, with 306 houses broken into from January to June, marking an 11.27% increase compared to the first half of 2019. This alarming trend has led to increased vigilance and security measures in the region.
Recent Arrests in Marbella
In recent developments, two men were arrested after being caught on camera attempting to break into homes in Marbella. In another incident, an Irishman was among three arrested over a nightclub shooting on Spain’s Costa del Sol. There are also reports of one of UK’s most wanted fugitives allegedly ‘collecting cash for criminals’ in Marbella, according to claims by a former police officer.
