Palma Strengthens Police Presence at Playa de Palma – 170 Additional Posts Starting in 2026

More presence at Playa de Palma — what changes exactly

If you have walked along Playa de Palma in the mornings in recent weeks, you might have noticed: more patrol cars, more foot patrols, a police officer at the bus station or on the avenue more often. The city administration has announced that controls against illegal street selling will be tightened and the police will be deployed there more visibly.

Mayor Jaime Martínez and Tourism Councillor Javier Bonet told industry representatives that control is already intensive and that from 2026 around 170 additional police officers will be employed. The new staffing level is expressly intended for locations such as Playa de Palma.

The on-site practice

On a Tuesday around 9 a.m., I saw officers addressing vendors selling sunglasses and mobile phone accessories. The aim: push back illegal stalls and unregistered suppliers. According to local hoteliers and restaurant operators, there have been intensified operations in recent months — especially on weekends and in the evenings when the promenade is busier.

There are now more frequent reports of targeted checks in hotspots like El Arenal, Can Pastilla and along the long promenade. In addition to the uniformed patrols, civilian officers are to be present as well, to uncover organized seller networks.

Why this matters for residents and visitors

For many residents the issue is two-edged. Some welcome more order: fewer aggressive selling attempts, cleaner sidewalks, less crowding at the bus stops. Others warn that hard measures could affect small traders who rely on tourists — and the solution is not only in increased police deployment.

The city emphasizes that it is not just about penalties, but also about prevention and coordination with tourism organizations. In planned information campaigns, visitors should be informed where official sales outlets and market offerings can be found.

My assessment

It is hard to say right away how big the effect will be. More personnel sounds good at first, but whether the additional 170 positions will really solve long term problems — such as organized networks or illegal storage spaces — remains to be seen. For the coming summer months, the noticeably increased presence could bring calm to the promenade. And that is, for many locals and guests, at first a relief.