IN less than 24 hours, officers from the Policia Nacional have tracked down and arrested a man suspected of making a false bomb threat that caused alarm in the centre of Jerez (Cadiz).
He was located in nearby Sanlucar de Barrameda on Holy Thursday, bringing an end to an incident that put the city on edge during one of its busiest weeks of the year.
The arrest relates to a series of calls made the previous evening, claiming that an explosive device had been placed inside a car parked in the public car park of the central Plaza del Arenal.
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The warning triggered an immediate and large-scale police response, aimed at protecting residents and the many visitors in the city for Semana Santa.
According to the police, the operation involved officers from the Jerez station alongside specialist units, including the TEDAX bomb disposal unit and sniffer dogs brought in from Cadiz.
The area around Plaza del Arenal was quickly secured, and access to the car park was shut down.
Officers were forced to restrict both entry and exit while they carried out a full inspection of the four underground levels.
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At the time, the car park was holding more than a thousand vehicles, including cars, vans and motorbikes.
From the moment the incident occurred, investigators began working to trace the origin of the calls containing false information.
Their efforts paid off quickly, and by early afternoon the following day, a suspect had been identified and arrested in Sanlucar.
He is currently being held in custody in Jerez while officers continue to investigate his motives, before being brought before a judge.
Police have described him as the ‘alleged perpetrator of a public disorder offence’, although they have not ruled out further charges.
They have also pointed out that he could face additional penalties for the significant economic damage caused by the operation.
The force has taken the opportunity to thank the public for their calm and co-operation during the incident.
Special mention was given to residents, tourists and hospitality workers, as well as members of local religious brotherhoods – many of whom had to adjust their planned Holy Week processions at short notice.
Legally, incidents like this are taken very seriously.
Under Spanish law, falsely reporting a situation of danger that leads to the mobilisation of emergency services can result in prison sentences of up to one year or substantial fines.
Those responsible may also be required to cover the costs incurred by public services and any damages caused.
In the end, what could have been a far more serious situation was resolved quickly thanks to a co-ordinated police response.
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