ARCHIVED - Police break up 100-strong party at protected natural park in Elche

Dozens of young people congregated at Clot de Galvany de Arenales del Sol in the Baix Vinalopo area of Alicante 

Illegal drinking sessions continue to rage on in Alicante province with police in Elche and Novelda forced to break up massive gatherings of young people playing loud music, drinking and flouting anti-Covid measures.

Late Saturday night (August 21), police surprised around 100 revellers who had congregated in the protected Clot de Galvany de Arenales del Sol in Elche - a natural area which has become a magnet for young people who meet up for drinking sessions, known as botellones.

But it isn't just the botellones and noise which are causing concern for police and residents, there has also been a rise in other anti-social behaviour, prompting calls for "self-responsibility".

"During the summer there have been repeated reports of all kinds of juvenile occurrences: from defecating in swimming pools to the most recent one of stealing fire extinguishers from a community to empty in the street", explains the Local Police in Elche, which is urging parents to "insist on basic civic values".

In the neighbouring town Novelda, local police officers had to break up a 200-strong party at a farm in La Serreta at the weekend, staged by a "well-known organiser of illegal parties" who faces a fine of up to €30,000.

Botellones and other illegal parties are causing issues for the police across Spain, leading to concerns about a rise in Covid cases due to irresponsible revellers.

IMAGE: Policia Local Elche