Property owners denounce the proliferation of robberies in recent weeks in different parts of the southern region. Several of them have pointed out to DIARIO DE AVISOS that criminals generally act at nightfall and steal part of the crops as well as machinery and work tools.
“The scattered villages between Fasnia and Arico Viejo are in the hands of God, neither the Civil Guard nor the Local Police can provide the necessary security coverage due to the long distances and the shortage of troops,” Pedro Díaz told this newspaper yesterday, one of those affected, who this year has suffered several visits from friends of others, the last this week.
“They are looting everything they can: utensils such as keys, hoses and iron tools, but also agricultural machinery such as plow motors and light engines, in addition to the farm’s production, potatoes and avocados, above all,” he said.
Other owners with whom this newspaper contacted – and who preferred not to reveal their identity – confirmed that “many people are leaving the field because they cannot plant anything: why if they know they are going to steal it?” They claim that the thieves have also taken “several goats” from some farm. All those consulted agree that the rural areas of the south of the island are “very neglected” in terms of security.
Angela Delgado, president of the Canary Islands Farmers and Livestock Association (Asaga) stated that most criminals act at night, for which she asked for a “reinforcement” in night surveillance by the Security Forces and Corps. “In recent days we have evidence of theft of potatoes in Vilaflor and of some tool rooms in Granadilla de Abona”, he pointed out, and warned that “when a farmer loses his tool room, he usually ends up abandoning the activity.”
