French tourists in Benidorm who suffer theft, need to report a crime or require police assistance are now being supported by officers from their own country. Two members of the French Police Nationale are patrolling alongside Spain’s National Police in the city’s busiest tourist areas during August, one of the peak holiday months.

The deployment forms part of the European Police Stations project, launched in 2008 in collaboration with France and later expanded to Portugal, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands. This is the sixth year the scheme has operated in Alicante province. The aim is to improve communication with visitors, prevent street crime and strengthen international police co‑operation.

The French officers are carrying out mainly foot patrols, although they may also patrol by vehicle. They are providing translation support, assisting fellow French nationals with complaints and working closely with Spain’s Judicial Police units to understand local investigative procedures. Spanish National Police officers will also be posted abroad to carry out similar duties.

Benidorm is also home to a Foreign Tourist Assistance Service office, known as SATE, which helped around 3,900 people last year and has already assisted nearly 2,400 so far in 2026. The office offers help in visitors’ own languages and extends its opening hours between May and September.