Rural areas to get better security

SECURITY measures are set to be implemented in rural areas following a meeting in Gaurdamar del Segura last week attended by the sub delegate of the Alicante Provincial Government, Encarna Llinares. She committed, publicly and in writing, to creating a joint venture between the Guardia Civil, Local Police and representatives of agricultural organizations to “agree on concrete action” and to “coordinate the monitoring of work in rural areas.”

This comes following the protest of the recent murder of a farmer – Issue 1338 and 1339 – on his asparagus patch in the area.

Also promised were coordination measures with the Guardia Civil and National Police in regards to domestic abuse and the monitoring of leisure areas as well as the plan to combat the sale and use of drugs in schools.

Between 2003 to 2010, “crime has fallen by 35.26 per cent,” and from 2009 to 2010 it was “down 23.6 per cent,” said Llinares.

There have been 17.5 per cent less property crimes, 32 per cent fewer vehicle thefts and 30 per cent reduction in the number of thefts from vehicles.

This complements the 182 per cent increase in the number of Guardia Civil officers, which over seven years has risen from 29 to 54.

Llinares specified that “they have expressly assigned special attention to rural areas and the countryside.”

By Nicole Hallett