Traders and inhabitants of the Salamanca neighbourhood in the capital of Tenerife are urging for a heightened police presence due to a recent upsurge in thefts reported to have taken place in local shops. This rise in criminal behaviour has left both business proprietors and residents of this central urban area feeling on edge.
Within a mere fortnight, four businesses on Salamanca Street have fallen victim to armed thefts, executed by young individuals who assault staff at knifepoint and, in some cases, forcibly enter premises whilst masked to seize possessions, leading to heightened fear among citizens in the locality.
The La Arboleda neighbourhood association informed DIARIO DE AVISOS yesterday that, “fifteen days ago, at approximately 9:00 p.m., a group of young individuals entered the Zuleyma supermarket armed with knives. Subsequently, they also targeted Mandarina, a nearby fruit shop, entering just after closing when customers were still inside. Aside from cash from the register, they aimed to take bananas and other goods.”
Furthermore, La Arboleda noted, “last Friday saw another robbery at the Adolfo tobacco shop; this time in the afternoon, when an individual entered, struck the employee, and absconded with the takings while waiting outside for a vehicle to make their escape.”
The most recent criminal incident occurred at La Multitienda 24 Horas, adjacent to the Price multiplexes, “where, around 6:00 a.m., masked individuals, concealing their identities and wielding knives, robbed the staff during the change of shift. A scuffle ensued, yet ultimately, they were unable to seize any money,” as reported by the local representatives yesterday.
The association expresses the deep-seated anxiety of traders and residents concerning the surge in robberies over the past few weeks in this area, emphasising that in three of the four businesses targeted, there were staff present.
The proprietors of the establishments on this street are bewildered by this sudden spike in robberies, yet they implore the authorities to take immediate action and enhance police presence in the neighbourhood “to prevent further misfortunes.”
This is not the first occasion that altercations and thefts have marred this part of the capital, with situations largely stemming from drug dealing in the vicinity, which they partly attribute to the presence of a methadone dispensing centre that has been operational for over 40 years.
By the end of 2023, there had been reports to DIARIO DE AVISOS expressing their frustration with the increasing number of individuals gathering in the area, some intoxicated, others dealing drugs, and many soliciting money from passersby.
