The delegate of the Government in Cantabria, Eugenia Gómez de Diego, has made a satisfactory balance of the 'Operation Summer 2024' to date, highlighting that the reinforcements and measures of both the National Police and the Civil Guard in Cantabria during the summer months have developed with "normality and effectiveness" and that "Cantabria remains one of the safest Autonomous Communities in Spain within one of the safest countries in the world".
The “Safe Tourism Plan” approved by the Ministry of the Interior aims to increase security in tourist areas, quickly and effectively serve those harmed by criminal acts, and offer greater protection both to neighbors and to national and international tourists who visit the region to enjoy their holidays.
The delegate of the Government has highlighted the commitment of the State Security Forces and Bodies in the protection and security of the Autonomous Community. “I see the relationship of respect and affection and the coordination with the municipalities of both the National Police and the Civil Guard every day. At the municipal level, mayors and mayors express satisfaction with coordination and collaboration, and even the Government delegation receives thanks from citizens for the help they have given them in different situations.”
Reinforcements of the National Police and the Civil Guard in Cantabria
Within the summer reinforcements of the State Security Forces and Corps, for “Operation Summer 2024”, the National Police has established a permanent reinforcement of 44 additional troops in Cantabria during the months of July and August. In addition, there is the presence of the Cavalry Unit, composed of nine horsemen and six horses, and the Air Media Service, which has a helicopter and a crew made up of 10 agents. They have also been promptly reinforced with specialized units such as the Mobile Brigade, the Clandestine Immigration Response Brigade (B.R.I.C. ), Police Intervention Units (U.I.P. ), and the Special Security Task Force (G.O.Es), acting in situations of specific need to maintain security and public order.
With regard to the Civil Guard in Cantabria, it has been reinforced with more than 100 personnel from specialized units of the Civil Guard coming from outside the autonomous community. These reinforcements, which include a helicopter, Reserve and Security Group troops, divers. Surveillance has also intensified on the Caminos de Santiago and Lebaniego, with the support of the French Gendarmerie due to the presence of French pilgrims.
Balance satisfactorio de la “Semana Grande de Santander” y de “Las Fiestas Patronales de la Virgen Grande de Torrelavega”
The delegate of the Government, Eugenia Gómez de Diego, has highlighted that the security devices designed by the Superior Police Headquarters of Cantabria on the occasion of the festivities in both Santander and Torrelavega and that bring together a large crowd of people “have been “satisfactory”.
“The festivities have developed normally, public safety has been guaranteed and the devices have proven to be efficient. I would like to highlight the professionalism and absolute coordination and collaboration between all the agents involved, including local police and civil protection services, health services, firefighters, the Red Cross and private security.”
Safety in large influx events is guaranteed by the Prevention and Reaction Unit (U.P.R. ), which plays an essential role in the surveillance and prevention of crime in large concentrations. The Citizen Care Groups (G.A.C.) They contribute to the prevention and reaction to possible crimes, especially on beaches and tourist areas, where they focus on preventing theft and theft indoors of vehicles, and offering quick attention to victims.
The surveillance in ports and airports has also been strengthened by the Alienería y Fronteras troops, with special attention in the Port of Santander due to the entry and exit of ferries.
In addition, the Judicial Police has increased its presence in tourist agglomerations to prevent theft of vehicles indoors and in residential areas to prevent burglaries in homes and increase night services due to the increase in people in leisure areas.
The Family and Women’s Care Unit (UFAM) strengthens its immediate response service in case of attacks against sexual freedom and compensation, to ensure effective and rapid care for victims.
The Civil Guard carries out 7,000 actions from the beginning of the “Special Action Plan for the Development of a Responsible Leisure”
Since last June 1, when the Special Action Plan for the Development of Responsible Leisure was initiated, promoted by the Delegation of the Government of Spain in Cantabria and executed by the Civil Guard Area, and until last August 15, 6,941 actions have been carried out in the municipalities of Castro Urdiales, Laredo, Noja, Potes, Santoña, San Vicente de la Barquera and Suances. These are municipalities that, due to their “substantial increase in visitors during the summer season, are given special attention and complement the Safe Tourism Plan that is active in all municipalities of Cantabria”, said Gómez de Diego.
The Civil Guard, until August 15, has carried out more than 2,700 services, in order to guarantee safe leisure and the protection of people, with special attention to male and sexual violence, protection of minors and vulnerable people and against acts related to hatred and discrimination. In addition, citizen security services, the investigation of cybercrime, the prevention of the consumption and possession of narcotic substances, the surveillance and control of road safety, as well as tax fraud and workers’ rights have been promoted.
Within the framework of the aforementioned services, almost 2,400 checks have been carried out on vehicles and people, most of them aimed at the prevention of citizen security.
There have been 1,019 complaints of administrative offences, of which more than 50% relate to actions to guarantee public safety and the protection of nature and the environment. The rest of the infringements observed are mainly related to road safety, tax matters, tourism and merchant shipping.
There have been 337 inspections and searches, almost half of which were aimed at ensuring maritime safety with inspections of recreational, professional and rental boats. The rest of the inspections have been carried out mainly in hotel and tourism-related establishments.
148 helpers and rescues were carried out, mainly on the road and on the roads of Santiago and Lebaniego.
With regard to the fight against animal abuse, Castro Urdiales carried out the “Pupica” operation, which resulted in two detainees and an investigator, and the recovery of 46 puppies of different breeds, dismantling an illegal breeding ground. The dogs went to an animal shelter and nowadays many of them have been welcomed by different families.
This plan deploys personnel belonging to the Civil Guard of Cantabria, among others, Citizen Security, Fiscal Service, Maritime Service, Traffic Group, Cinological Service and SEPRONA; agents and means of the Local Police of the municipalities involved, and is supported by special units of the Civil Guard, such as the Cavalry Group, the Reserve and Security Group (ARS), the Underwater Activities Group (GEAS) and the Air Service, in those events or actions of interest that their participation is necessary.