Illegal campsite dismantled in Gran Canaria
The local council of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, in collaboration with national and local law enforcement agencies, has dismantled an illegal campsite set up on Pocito Bea beach in southern Gran Canaria.
Authorities discovered between 35 and 45 unauthorised tents occupying the coastal area in violation of environmental and safety regulations.
The operation, carried out on Friday morning, involved the National Police, the Guardia Civil’s environmental unit SEPRONA, and several units of the Local Police, with support from the Municipal Beach Cleaning Service. In the first phase of the operation, 21 tents were taken down and removed from the site.
The illegal encampment had been reported by the Coastal Authority (Demarcación de Costas), prompting swift action from the local council. All confiscated items have been transferred to a storage facility for seized goods, where they will remain under custody.
José Carlos Álamo, a spokesperson for the local government, stressed the council’s firm stance on the matter: “We are not turning a blind eye. We have received numerous complaints from residents and have acted responsibly. These illegal occupations not only violate the law but also seriously undermine the orderly use and enjoyment of our coastline. They pose major risks in terms of safety, hygiene, and environmental degradation, and we will not tolerate them.”
The council expressed gratitude for the efficiency and coordination of all the agencies involved. The operation is part of a broader campaign to monitor and protect coastal zones, and San Bartolomé de Tirajana has been strengthening its coastal oversight over recent months, with this latest action reinforcing its zero-tolerance approach toward improper use of public beach areas.
The council also highlighted previous actions taken to preserve the coastline. In September 2023, officials cleared out an illegal campsite on Las Carpinteras beach, where unauthorised campers had even brought furniture. The following month, another major operation was carried out at Montaña La Arena beach, which involved police intervention and the removal of over 10 tonnes of rubbish, eliminating hazardous and unauthorised use of the area.
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