ARCHIVED - 3,000 police prepare to avoid crowded San Juan celebrations along the Costa Blanca 

More than 3,000 officers will be on duty along the beaches in the Valencia region to stop gatherings from getting out of hand and make sure parties are not held on beaches that councils have decided to close.

The authorities have decided to deploy more than 3,000 police officers from the National Police, Guardia Civil and Regional Police forces across Costa Blanca on Wednesday evening (23 June) to keep Noche de San Juan celebrations under control.

In addition, local police forces in each municipality will be patrolling the streets and beaches to avoid crowds gathering. 

While the majority of the councils in the region have decided to close their beaches as of 7 pm to prevent traditional parties (which generally feature bonfires, crowds and copious amounts of alcohol) in order to avoid the possibility of Covid spreading, Torrevieja, Benissa, Moraira and Javea have decided to leave theirs open. 

The regional Justice Councillor, Gabriela Bravo, applauded the councils’ decisions to close their beaches and called for youngsters, in particular, to continue to behave responsibly, as they have been doing in recent months, as the virus is still out there and continues to spread.

She also pointed out that while there are no restrictions now on gatherings in the street, street drinking parties (or botellones) are banned and those found consuming alcohol or drugs in public places will be fined.

Last weekend, for example, Local and National Police officers issued more than 100 fines in Elche and 59 in Alicante for alcohol or drug consumption.
Image: Policia Local Torrevieja