Benidorm gets tough on bathers saving prime beach spots
Police will remove items left behind by so-called beach hoggers at the Alicante hotspot
Benidorm City Council has vowed to end the beach wars caused by people claiming prime waterside spots at the crack of dawn by giving police the option of removing the offending items, or even fining those they consider a nuisance.
This battle begins each summer, with many tourists slating the locals who pitch their deck chairs and umbrellas right at the water’s edge while it’s still dark, only to return to sunbathe hours later. The popular hotspot gets extremely busy during high season and the council has received numerous complaints that there’s no space to stretch out thanks to these so-called beach hoggers.
Monica Gomez, Benidorm's councillor for beaches and the environment, said she was well aware of the problem but denied that locals are deliberately trying to nab all the best spots ahead of holidaymakers.
“Traditionally there are people who get up very early to make sure they get a spot at the front of the beach nearest the shoreline and stay there all morning enjoying the sea.
“It happens in Benidorm as well as other holiday resorts.
“Here there are cases of people who put out their sun umbrellas and sun loungers after beach cleaning finishes around 6am and then go for a stroll along the beach before the sun gets too strong”.
This, of course, is allowed, but she stressed that putting belongings out early in the morning and leaving the beach is expressly prohibited.
“By-laws mean the local police have the power to act when items are left on the beach in this way and it leads to conflict between beachgoers and they always act when required to in order to mediate and try to resolve disputes to make sure both parties can enjoy a good day out on the sand,” Ms Gomez said.
“However if people persist in this sort of behaviour where they abandon sunbeds and umbrellas and generate conflict with other beach users, the police can sanction them for a reiteration of a practice that is not permitted,” she added.
In other news: Beach toilets finally open in Orihuela Costa
Image: Turismo de Benidorm
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