The Alicante-Elche airport border post, operated by the National Police, reports a busy period with 108 arrests announced this year. The figures highlight a strong focus on falsification of identity documents and related offences, with nationwide and international courts and police bodies recording numerous cases. Additionally, 56 interventions were carried out for other non-detained matters, and 754 complaints were filed at the airport police station.
Among the recent arrests are two Arab men, aged 43 and 53, who were apprehended after attempting to steal bags and suitcases from tourists at airport facilities. They were spotted by a police vehicle while fleeing in a rental car. The men abandoned the vehicle and fled in opposite directions, but both were captured. Inside the vehicle, investigators located several backpacks with cash and valuables stolen from travelers still present at the airport.
The National Police have resolved nine of the twenty reported thefts at the airport, while ongoing operations are in place to deter such crimes. Uniformed and plainclothes officers patrol inside the premises, in parking areas, and as travelers await transportation. In this way, experienced officers assigned to the border station protect passengers and help ensure their journey proceeds without crime casting a shadow over it. Some victims of the two recently arrested thieves expressed their gratitude to the agents through letters to acknowledge the effectiveness of the intervention.
Security
On the other hand, the Provincial Police Department has confirmed that airport staff have been reinforced to maintain user safety during the peak summer season when tourist numbers rise.
Among the most common offenses faced by officers at the airport are document falsification and forensic or police allegations. The stationed agents possess specialized skills for detecting fake documents, as many attempts involve passengers trying to leave or enter the country with forged passports or identity cards. To date, 27 people have been arrested for document falsification this year.
Regarding individuals with current search or detention orders, 53 people have been identified and arrested this year by national or international police units or by authorities from various parts of the country. Many have ongoing national judicial proceedings. The airport relies on high-efficiency passenger and user screening conducted by the National Police.
International cooperation remains vital for those claimed by other countries. The National Police maintains ongoing collaboration with the liaison office handling extradition matters between European justice systems and the Spanish system, notably through the SIRENE Office (Supplementary Information Request at the National Entry).
Thanks to this cooperation, border post officers are frequently alerted to the presence of fugitives on arriving flights to Alicante, enabling quick detention after landing at the airport.