Night time at Duquesa Port
Duquesa port at night time

ANGRY expats and locals have slammed a wave of illegal behaviour that has left Duquesa port a ‘hotbed’ of drugs, drinking and violence.

Some two dozen business owners and residents have penned complaints to Manilva town hall for ‘failing to protect’ them.

They feel the police presence is insufficient in the face of binge-drinking, littering and vandalism – and the town hall agrees.

The group claims a ‘botellon culture’ operates around Italian Square after 11pm on weekend nights with some areas out of bounds for women.

“There is seemingly a complete lack of police foot patrols – apparently because they don’t have stab vests,” said a 47-year-old British resident and business owner who regularly has sleepless nights due to the disturbance.

“My wife will not go out alone in parts of Duquesa at night and I have seen several people get beaten up.”

He continued: “It’s like Jekyll and Hyde because Duquesa is beautiful in the daytime and should be the jewel in Manilva’s crown.”

The Olive Press found several cases of leftover cocaine on outdoor surfaces following complaints of open drug dealing where locals claim ‘police turn a blind eye’.

Only last month, two young British teenagers were mugged at knifepoint as they left the port late at night.

They told the Olive Press: “It was really nasty and could have led to serious injury.”

Meanwhile, British expat Paul Charrington, 41, from Duquesa Business Centre has to clean outside his premises every morning due to ‘litter and public urination’.

He said: “It’s a bad way to start the day. “It is time for a clean up.”

Last night, Manilva councillor Dean Tyler Shelton told the Olive Press that he was ‘taking action’ to remedy the problem.

He said the ‘root of the problem’ was due to police staffing, with on average just five officers per shift stretched between Manilva, Sabinillas, Duquesa and Castillo.

“We know there is a problem, and I am personally taking action to see policing is increased,” he said.

“But unless the padron reaches 23,000, which we believe it should be, we cannot get the improved support of national police and our local officers are stretched.”

Manilva official padron stands at 15,000 while the town hall believes there are, in fact, up to 25,000 residents and approaching 50,000 in summer.

Subscribe to the Olive Press

7 COMMENTS

  1. I lived in Duquesa 9yrs ago and was beaten quite bad after leaving a bar.
    unfortunately what it is now is no different then what it was back then. drugs drinking and fighting. a brits favorite past time and that place is full with brits.

  2. Loved Hemingways when we used to visit our friends flat for holidays in the port. The Filet Mignon in there was one of the best as was that little Chiringuito on the beach in front of our flat. Didn’t think much of the Chinese restaurants there though.

    Lovely place.

  3. “around Italian Square” obviously referring to Rojos, Ive often frequented it as a lone or small group of females never had a problem, crime happens everywhere. Yes youths can be quite rowdy here and the Spanish maybe appear more so as its such an animated language, I take it by botellon culture your referring to the native population. A case of people being scared of what they dont understand here I think. I don’t agree with urination and the owners of late night establishments should ensure their patrons move along quickly when leaving. The olive press found several empty cocaine wrappers….. rather familiar with them are we (wink wink). I’ve seen much more drug taking and sales in and around some of the larger British ran establishments in the area.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.