Magalluf residents live in fear of prostitutes, local business sector calling for action

By Humphrey Carter
PALMA
MAGALLUF’S prostitution problem, which was connected to the death of a British holiday maker and sparked protest marches from local residents last summer appears to have raised its ugly head again with residents in and around the Avenida de las Palmeras where a group of over 20 prostitutes preying on tourists were stoned by a group of local youths in the early hours of Saturday morning claiming they are living in fear of reprisals.

20 prostitutes were arrested by the Local Police in the wake of Saturday’s clash but yesterday, Acotur, the Association of Commerce and Tourism Businesses in Majorca slammed the continuing existence of prostitutes working the streets of Magalluf and claimed that the situation had in fact got worse. not better, despite concerted efforts by the police to crack down on the problem this summer.

In a press statement, Acotur said that it is unacceptable that the violence and insecurity associated with street prostitution continues in Magalluf. The association warned that it is going to continue to pressurize and lobby the Mayor of Calvia, Carlos Delgado, over the problem and also raise the issue with the Central Government delegate to the Balearics, Ramon Socias. “Street prostitution is giving Magalluf a bad name and is the root of constant insecurity and violence,” the association claimed. “And it had not helped the local industry combat the recession either,” it added.

The opposition PSOE Socialist party in Calvia also expressed its concerns about the situation, which appears to have suddenly escalated fueling tensions in the resort, and the damage it is doing the resort’s image. “COUNCIL HAS FAILED” PSOE candidate for Mayor, Alfonso Rodriguez, said that what happened over night on Friday proves that the council has failed to properly tackle the problem and deploy the necessary police to the conflictive areas of the resort. “During the peak of the season, there should be a permanent police presence to guarantee the security and safety of holiday makers. “But, there’s a lack of police on the beat because the council has them desk bound carry out administrational work,” he said yesterday.

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