Police Crack Down On ‘love-hug’ Robbers Targeting Expat Areas

Authorities successful Spain person arrested 2 suspects believed to beryllium down a bid of “love hug” robberies crossed parts of nan Valencia region and nan Costa Blanca, an area heavy frequented by British expats and holidaymakers. The method, which has go progressively communal successful tourer zones and residential areas pinch ample overseas communities, involves approaching aged group successful nan thoroughfare nether nan guise of affection earlier quickly stealing their valuables.

Police opportunity nan suspects, a female aged 26 and a man aged 30, allegedly travelled from their location successful Santa Coloma de Gramanet adjacent Barcelona to various towns successful nan Valencia and Alicante provinces to perpetrate nan offences. Their predominant activity reportedly made it difficult for officers to link nan cases astatine first, but nan brace person now been detained. During a hunt of their home, constabulary recovered jewellery, rate and different items believed to person been taken during nan robberies.

Rise successful ‘Love Hug’ robberies crossed Costa Blanca and Valencia

The “love hug” method relies connected distraction and surprise. According to constabulary reports, victims – usually older residents – are approached by a female acting arsenic though she knows them. She past moves successful for a hug aliases a buss connected nan cheek, utilizing nan adjacent interaction to region necklaces, watches aliases bags earlier fleeing. In immoderate cases, victims who attempted to defy were met pinch violence. Investigators opportunity this type of thoroughfare theft has been rising successful nan Valencia region, pinch akin complaints being revenge crossed aggregate towns celebrated pinch expats.

The Policía Nacional confirmed that astatine slightest 10 thefts were registered successful nan Alicante state and 3 successful nan Valencia area betwixt February and June. Officers judge nan existent number whitethorn beryllium higher, arsenic respective items recovered during nan hunt were not linked to existing crime reports. Local media outlets person besides noted a increasing number of akin incidents, pinch constabulary informing that criminals often return advantage of nan spot and vulnerability of older people, peculiarly successful areas wherever expats whitethorn consciousness safe and acquainted pinch their surroundings.

The Costa Blanca and Valencia region stay immoderate of nan astir visited parts of Spain, attracting millions of visitors each year. Around 18 cardinal British nationals sojourn Spain annually, and much than a cardinal British travellers arrived successful nan Valencia region successful nan first half of 2024 alone. With specified a important number of British residents and visitors successful nan area, Spanish authorities proceed to emphasise consciousness astir opportunistic crimes that target those perceived arsenic distracted aliases little mobile.

Expats and visitors who autumn unfortunate to immoderate shape of theft are advised to telephone 112, Spain’s nationalist emergency number, arsenic soon arsenic possible. After contacting emergency services, victims should sojourn nan nearest constabulary position to record a report. This tin beryllium done astatine Policia Nacional stations, Guardia Civil posts aliases location constabulary accommodation specified arsenic Mossos d’Esquadra successful Catalonia, Ertzaintza successful nan Basque Country and Policía Foral successful Navarre. Many awesome Spanish cities besides connection a Foreign Tourist Assistance Service, known arsenic SATE, wherever visitors and overseas residents tin person support successful English while making a report. Minor offences, specified arsenic stolen bags aliases items taken from a parked car, tin beryllium reported online, though convulsive crimes aliases intersexual assaults must beryllium reported successful person.

For expats surviving successful Spain’s coastal regions, constabulary counsel remaining cautious of strangers who initiate beingness interaction and being mindful of wearing visible jewellery while stepping alone. While nan arrests people a important measurement successful tackling nan issue, authorities proceed to analyse different imaginable cases linked to nan aforesaid criminal shape crossed nan Valencia region.