Policeman attacked in Los Cristianos as Arona clamps down on illegal street vendor trading

[Janet]

A 33-year-old Senegalese was arrested  on Saturday after attacking a Los Cristianos policía local officer who stopped him as he was selling sunglasses. The police say that their attention to street vendors has been greatly increased over the last few weeks, the result not only of the long overdue fulfillment of political promises in Arona, but also after pressure from businesses in the area who claim a loss of 30% trade to such illegal trading.

Víctor Sánchez, president of the Asociación de Empresarios de Playa de Las Américas y Costa Adeje (Aepaca), said that the street sellers usually flee towards Las Américas from the Adeje coastline because of the firmer stance taken in that municipality. Sr Sánchez said that businesses complain too that the street vendors even enter shops to try to tempt customers away from legitimate businesses. Police say that they will continue to clamp down on the activity, and this attack surely won't soften their attitudes. JA

[Guanche]

This may sound a bit hard but I think this bad news, for the officer, will result in good news for the residents and tourist. Getting these 'looky looky' people off the street, handbag sellers and hair braiders. They have been a blight on the South for years. Now the  gloves are off you might see a bit of action.

[Myrtle Hogan-Lance]

Why doesn't the Spanish government just deport these assholes?  They have no right or reason to be here, do not contribute to society, and are bad for the tourist industry.  I just don't get why they are allowed to freely roam the streets.

[Perikles]

Why doesn't the Spanish government just deport these assholes?  They have no right or reason to be here, do not contribute to society, and are bad for the tourist industry.  I just don't get why they are allowed to freely roam the streets.

That's no way to speak about the Policía Local. 

[Guanche]

I just wonder how they go on for health care things like that? I'm sure they don't pay national insurance and they probably don't know what income tax is!

[Perikles]

I just wonder how they go on for health care things like that? I'm sure they don't pay national insurance and they probably don't know what income tax is!

They probably don't have health care, but take the view that it is no worse than where they came from. In an emergency, the hospital has a legal obligation to attend to them. They have to identify themselves and give an address, to which the hospital sends the bill. Simple. Anyone see a problem which that procedure? 

[Michael]

To be honest, on my own personal 'pain in the ass scale', street vendors are only about a 4.

Far far worse are the PRs. They're a definite 10. 

[Janet]

I agree, Guanche, I think it will be good news in the end not least because the police aren't going to take a softly softly approach any more ... not that they ever did!

mac, I agree witih you too, the PRs are worse from my perspective.

[Janet]

Someone on FB has just asked if the police action on ILLEGAL street trading will deprive them of an income and make them turn to CRIME ...

[Michael]

Someone on FB has just asked if the police action on ILLEGAL street trading will deprive them of an income and make them turn to CRIME ...

I trust they got a suitable response?