Torrevieja fines buyers in street-vending crackdown

The Local Police in Torrevieja have started issuing fines to individuals caught purchasing items from unauthorized street vendors along the Juan Aparicio promenade, as per a municipal ordinance effective since 2022. This marks a change from prior warnings in 2023 to enforcement on the seafront this summer. Fines of €200 were handed out in July and August, although only a handful of cases have been reported.

Article 28.3 of the ordinance prohibits buying food, drinks, or other products from unlicensed vendors in public areas, with the offense classified as minor and punishable by a €200 fine. Some fines have been partially reduced to €120. Police records describe various seizures, including clothing and sports items, during patrols in August.

The difficulty lies in proving purchases since vendors often leave quickly upon police arrival. Despite signs warning buyers of potential fines, the promenade remains busy in July and August, with vendors, shoppers, and authorized vendors jostling for space. The Local Police have increased patrols and enlisted the support of the Civil Guard's security unit to combat illegal street trading.

This new strategy targets not only vendors but also buyers to discourage demand for unauthorized goods, even though proving a transaction remains challenging for law enforcement.