From Xabia al Dia on-line 11 February 2006. Translated by Huw Griffith
In presenting his annual report, after reviewing 2005, Cristobal Buigues, Chief Inspector of the Local Police, went on to explain the new measures that the Local Police have planned for 2006, in order to to improve the service to townspeople. Amongst these measures, in particular, is the establishment of units based in the Port and Arenal, so that people do not have to go to the Pueblo in order to make statements.
In 2005 there was a noticeable reduction in organised burglaries. This is due to the creation of district policing and night-time controls on the roads out of the town. Here the limited number of exits from Xàbia has proved helpful. To this end, four units of Night Police have been created, so as to provide round-the-clock security.
On the other hand, there was an increase in the number of calls to traffic accidents, partly because people choose to call the Police to avoid problems with insurance claims. Other classes of crime reports also increased, but only in proportion to the increase in population and the general pattern.
On the down side, there is a continued growth in crimes of violence, which is why the Police have created a specialist group in continuous contact with psychologists and social workers
For his part, the Director of Civil Security, Rafa Bas, pointed out that thanks to improvements in the computer systems, issuing of fines will from now on be more effective. This means that Council officials will be able to issue fines for more offences. Also, the towing lorry will soon have more work as new car pounds are being created on municipal land. This will include the motorcycles whose exhaust noise causes so much annoyance.
Of course, anti-noise campaigns will continue as before.
