The Santa Ana Residents’ Association has reported a disturbing increase in burglaries over the past year. According to the president of the association, Pedro Luis Ros, the incidents have predominantly involved ground-floor homes where thieves break in using a specific modus operandi. Surveillance footage has captured the same old blue Volkswagen Passat used in the crimes. This situation has sparked concerns among residents about an organised crime group targeting their neighbourhood.

Local political leader Antonio Conesa has voiced his alarm, noting that some of these burglaries occur even while residents are at home. He recounted a recent incident in which thieves fled when confronted by the homeowners’ screams. In light of the rising crime rate, Ros stated that the association intends to request the Government Delegation to shift security responsibilities from the Guardia Civil to the National Police, citing the greater number of officers available to respond to such issues.

Despite having private security services in the area, residents believe that the thieves exploit the changeover periods of security personnel to commit their crimes. Ros pointed out that the polygon covers over seven hundred and fifty thousand square metres, making it nearly impossible for the limited number of security staff to adequately monitor the entire area.

The residents are hopeful that the forthcoming opening of the Local Police station in Los Dolores will provide a deterrent effect. Pedro Luis Ros expressed that increased police visibility could dissuade potential criminals. However, he stressed the importance of ensuring the new facility is adequately staffed to effectively safeguard the region, which boasts a population exceeding ten thousand people between Santa Ana pueblo and the polygon.