The capital of Lanzarote has markedly improved its public safety, as highlighted by the official statistics from the Ministry of the Interior, which provide a review for 2025. According to a press release issued by the local government on Monday, Arrecife has seen a 7.7% reduction in criminal offences in the first half of 2025, with a 4.6% decrease in conventional crime.

Improvements in Public Safety Indicators

The Mayor of Arrecife, Yonathan de León, who directly oversees the Local Police, stated that the improvement in these indicators reflects the ongoing police operations in sensitive areas, an increased presence of undercover vehicles at critical points, and the anti-squatter strategy implemented by the Town Council. These measures have contributed to a decrease in crime, as confirmed by the data from the Ministry of the Interior and reported by the Lanzarote Data Centre.

According to the Ministry’s statistics, during the second quarter of 2025, when the anti-squatter police service was established, there was a 56.3% reduction in ‘burglary with force’ in homes, establishments, and other properties. In the first quarter, there were 179 thefts, which decreased to 158 in the second quarter. Burglary offences in homes have fallen by 33.3%, with no incidents reported between May and July, compared to four in the first quarter.

Active Police Involvement

The Local Police of Arrecife has actively participated in enforcing restraining orders, as noted in the Ministry of the Interior’s official report, which highlights a 47.1% decrease in sexual offences.

Drug Trafficking Offences Decline

In terms of drug trafficking, offences have decreased by 6.7%. The Local Police have conducted various operations in recent months in sensitive areas and public spaces to combat drug trafficking and related activities. They have shut down drug dens in different neighbourhoods of Arrecife, which were hubs of public health risks and insecurity, while also employing drones during police investigations to facilitate these operations.

Collaboration for Enhanced Security

Mayor Yonathan de León expressed his gratitude for the close collaboration between the Local Police and the National Police during multiple operations, reinforcing security in the capital of Lanzarote. This teamwork has resulted in a notable improvement in public safety, reflected in significant reductions in some crime segments, confirmed by the Ministry of the Interior.

Nonetheless, the Mayor announced that the Local Police will be strengthened in the coming months with the addition of more officers, following the recruitment drive announced in the 2025 public employment offer. Additionally, support from the Regional Police will be facilitated through the allocation of premises by the Town Council of Arrecife for deployment on the island. This administrative handover was accelerated by a recent agreement reached in the August plenary session, enabling the Canary Police to utilise the former premises of the Local Police.