Over in Maro the police have been raiding illegal campsites-cum-settlements on the beaches and barrancos there.
According to the Nerja Councillor for Citizen Safety, Francisco Arce (PP), last Sunday they evicted squatters on the Playa de La Caleta, and within the Barranco de Maro and Cuevas del Acueducto del Águila.
In total they evicted people from 15 illegal campsites three of whom were charged, all of them foreigners.
The operation involved over 20 officers from both the Policía Local and the Guardia Civil based in Nerja. They were also backed up by a Guardia unit from Vélez-Málaga.
As soon as the police had moved everybody out, the municipal maintenance workers began dismantling the structures and clearing up the mountains of accumulated rubbish on the beaches being used by the squatters. The workers had to use a small launch to remove the rubbish from the beaches, as it was easier than trying to get it up to the road.
There were also stray dogs, which were taken into care, that had been living off the squatters.
This is far from the first time that the police have had to move in to evict these settlements – they do it every other year or so.
(News: Maro, Axarquia, Costa del Sol, Malaga, Andalucia – Photo: E. Cabezas)
Niko: It’s a very good question concerning the pandemic situation: if the health authorities consider it necessary for people to be confined within their municipalities, then is it wise to force people to move out of one location and to go elsewhere?
Where are these people supposed to GO,and is it not illegal to make them move around and chase them under the Pandemic?Shouldn’t they rather STAY PUT? For their And for others Covid-19 safety?
Gavin: Presumably you are referring to Baranco De Enmedio?
I am not 100% sure, but there is a barranco at the border of Salobreña and Almuñécar where there are always several camper vans parked, and it looks like they just live there.
Since it is not an “official” camp site, would this be a situation that warrants the same enforcement as what Nerja/Maro are doing? And if so, whose jurisdiction would that be?
I agree with your comments in another article that our communities should advocate for any tourism we could get this year, and we are of course supportive of all legitimate tourism that would bring revenue to our area and support our local businesses.
Our only concern is the unofficial or illegal sites (such as this one?) as they seem to create a burden to tax dollars, and also cause a health and sanitation hazard as there is no infrastructure in place for people setting up residence on a beach.
The amount of trash, along with the dog waste and using the beach for personal functions (especially when there is a chiringuito nearby that local residents enjoy), it appears that this should be a matter of public health.
Any explanation to shed light on this topic would be appreciated. Many thanks in advance.