Recently, the National Police (Policia Nacional) in a report has released some encouraging figure in terms of the overall crime rate in Marbella and Malaga province. As said by- the police efficiency has improved this year from 32 to 38 percent while the number of arrests made was about 5,623 in comparison to 4,736 of last year.
The report added that the general crime rate in Marbella has positive stats than the provincial one, as the popular resort town has recorded a fall of crime rate by 11 percent this year while Malaga in general has been around 5.5 percent.
However, there have been more reports of crime made to the police, and subsequently the enhanced competence of police in resolving many cases, counting the number of arrests.
Over the years, rising crime rate has been a major concern for both locals and expats, while organised crime has been a problem in Spain. With increasing population and busy market places, car theft, vandalism, burglary, robbery and sexual assault have been noticed at the highest rates. With timely law and order measures, the level of offence has reduced though.
Last year, a report of Drugs and Organised Crime Unit of National Police of Spain (UDYCO) had cited a decrease in organised crime rate in Andalusia in 2008. Over 300 arrests were made and the UDYCO police unit had reported better work efficiency with the help of new technological gadgets like GPS navigation devices.
In Andalusia region, whether Malaga or Marbella, local police (Policia Local) are mainly responsible for maintaining law and order and traffic in the streets. Each municipal region has its own police force in operation and work in coordination with other regional and national agencies for greater public good.
Earlier also, an independent survey in 2005 stated that the top 10 crimes during 1995 and 2005 had either decreased or remained the same during a decade long period. The rate of reporting a crime to the police has also increased with time; this further made the police to take strict action in bringing down the increasing rate of incidence during that decade.
In all, it is in favour of the locals and holidaymakers in Marbella and Malaga to lead a safe life without worrying much about the surroundings, as violent crime rate is still not that big in this part of Spain. Moreover, Spain has still a lowest crime rate in Europe, albeit money laundering and drug trafficking are in rise with the presence of different criminal organizations, including foreigners.
