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Police union warns of “critical” conditions at Benidorm station and calls for urgent action

Beindorm / 1 April 2026

A leading Spanish police union has raised serious concerns over the condition of the National Police station in Benidorm, describing the facility as “unsustainable” and calling for immediate intervention from the Spain's Ministry of the Interior .

The Unified Police Union (SUP) claims the station, which opened in 1978, has never undergone a full renovation and is now suffering from significant structural, operational and safety deficiencies.

Long-standing issues and delayed reforms

The warning follows recent comments by Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska, who confirmed plans for a future refurbishment of the building. However, the union says the project is “more than two decades overdue” and is demanding clear timelines and immediate interim measures.

According to the SUP, the current state of the station is affecting both working conditions for officers and the level of service provided to the public in the wider Marina Baixa region — a key tourist area on Spain’s Costa Blanca.

Structural and operational concerns

The union highlights a range of issues, including:
Outdated electrical systems and poor air conditioning
Water leaks affecting multiple floors
Overcrowded offices and lack of privacy for public-facing services

Insufficient changing and staff facilities

Operational shortcomings have also been flagged, with concerns over:

Inadequate areas for detainees and seized materials
Lack of charging infrastructure for hybrid police vehicles
Closure of the on-site shooting range, requiring officers to travel elsewhere for training

Safety and accessibility risks

The SUP has also criticised the building’s accessibility, stating it fails to meet modern standards for people with reduced mobility. Additionally, it warns that staffing pressures can leave individual officers handling multiple roles simultaneously, increasing risks for both police and the public.

Maintenance delays have further compounded the situation, with reported faults remaining unresolved for extended periods due to administrative and budgetary constraints.

Call for urgent action

The union argues that the situation reflects years of institutional neglect and insists that urgent measures must be introduced while any long-term refurbishment is carried out.

It concludes that public safety in a major tourist destination like Benidorm “cannot depend on obsolete facilities” and is urging authorities to prioritise investment in modern policing infrastructure.

🌴 What’s On This Week – Costa Blanca

(Benidorm & surrounding areas)

Overview

This week across Benidorm, Altea, Albir, Finestrat, and La Nucía is mainly:

Weekly markets and street trading

Live music in bars and small venues

Early spring coastal tourism activity (boat trips, promenades)

Small cultural events and exhibitions

Gradual build-up toward May festivals in Benidorm

BENIDORM – Events and Activity

Markets and street life

Wednesday and Sunday main street markets (large general markets for clothing, food, and goods)
Old Town craft stalls operating in the evenings
Night markets becoming more active as tourist season builds

Cultural activity

Early preparations and signage for the Medieval Market coming soon in central Benidorm
Small pop-up performances in Old Town squares (musicians, street entertainment)

Nightlife and entertainment

Live music every night across the main strips (cover bands, tribute acts, karaoke)
DJ sets and bar entertainment increasing toward peak season
Rooftop bars and terrace venues reopening more consistently

Overall feel

Benidorm is in an active pre-summer phase with strong nightlife and steady tourist flow.

ALTEA – Cultural and coastal atmosphere

Old Town and culture
Art galleries and artisan shops open daily
Small exhibitions and cultural displays in local venues

Live music

Acoustic and low-key live music in bars around Old Town and seafront areas
Occasional weekend performances in Irish and cocktail bars

Sea activities

Boat trips operating from Altea harbour including:
Coastal cruises
Sunset sailing trips
Swimming stops depending on weather conditions

Overall feel

Quiet, scenic, and cultural with a strong focus on relaxation rather than nightlife.

ALBIR / ALFÀS DEL PI – Mixed expat and local activity

Markets

Friday weekly street market with food, clothing, and household goods
Nearby Sunday markets in Altea also attract visitors from the area

Live music

Regular pub and bar entertainment, especially in Irish and rock-themed venues
Weekly live bands and acoustic performances across multiple venues

Cultural venues

Casa de Cultura hosting small theatre events, exhibitions, and community activities
Regular local group meetings and social clubs

Overall feel

Balanced area with both relaxed daytime atmosphere and active evenings.

LA NUCÍA – Local and sporting focus

Markets

Sunday rastro (large flea market with antiques, tools, clothes, and food stalls)
Entertainment
Occasional live music in local bars, mostly weekends

Sports activity

Large sports complex hosting training camps, tournaments, and weekend events

Overall feel

Quiet residential town with activity concentrated around weekends and sports events.

FINESTRAT – Beach and market lifestyle

Markets

Tuesday and Saturday markets in La Cala area with a mix of local produce and goods

Beachfront activity

Beach bars and restaurants increasingly open in the evenings
Sunset dining season beginning again

Entertainment

Low-key live music in beachfront bars rather than organised events

Overall feel

Relaxed coastal town focused on beach life and casual evenings.

OVERALL SUMMARY

Benidorm: busiest area with nightlife, markets, and entertainment

Altea: cultural, scenic, and relaxed

Albir / Alfàs del Pi: balanced mix of live music and expat social life

La Nucía: local, quiet, and sports-focused

Finestrat: beach-oriented and low-key

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Police union warns of “critical” conditions at Benidorm station and calls for urgent action

🌴 What’s On This Week – Costa Blanca

(Benidorm & surrounding areas)

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