As is tradition every 12 December, Adeje Town Hall and the Policia Local have celebrated the feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe with a series of events that concluded on Friday morning with the presentation of medals and distinctions and the reading of the annual activity report for the period between 1 December 2024 and 30 November 2025. On the same day, four new trainee police officers took up their posts and will complete 1,200 hours of training within the force.
The mayor of Adeje, José Miguel Rodríguez Fraga, the councillor for Security, Mercedes Vargas Delgado, and the deputy chief of the Local Police, Ricardo Reyes Rodríguez, presided over the swearing-in ceremony, the mass in honour of the patron saint and the institutional event, which was also attended by members of the governing group and all political parties represented in the municipal plenary, as well as civil society representatives and members of the Adeje Volunteer Fire Brigade and State security forces, including the Guardia Civil and National Police.
One of the most emotional moments of the institutional event was the presentation of medals, distinctions and recognitions awarded each year by the Town Hall and the police. Officers who have completed between 20 and 35 years in the Adeje police force received a Medalla de Permanencia. Four officers were also recognised for their participation in significant services related to security and emergencies, Officer Luis Tanausú Blanco Hernández, and officers Guillermo Alexis Hernández Álvarez, Eduardo Yáñez Rodríguez and Paula Hernández Martín.
Another particularly touching moment was the award presented to a member of the K-9 team, specifically the German Shepherd Sol who, after almost ten years of service, is about to retire. This specially trained dog has carried out outstanding prevention and control work over the past twelve months for both the local police and other security forces, earning widespread praise.
The distinction section concluded with thanks from the police to other workers from Adeje Town Hall whose essential contributions have supported the officers in their duties.
The mayor expressed his gratitude to all those recognised, especially the officers honoured for their work over the past year. He conveyed “the thanks and recognition not only of the local corporation but also of the Adeje public, who know they can count on a police force that is increasingly well trained, better prepared and more committed to the reality of our municipality.” Rodríguez Fraga also welcomed the four new officers and reminded them of “the importance of the work they are about to undertake, from which the public and all of us expect much, because we are convinced of the commitment to public service shown by each of the new officers who take up their posts today.”
Adeje's local police force currently has 125 officers, although both the mayor and the councillor stated that “work continues to ensure new members in the coming years to help move the municipality closer to the figure truly needed to provide the best possible service.”
Before the event concluded, the deputy chief, Lázaro Miguel Brito Díaz, read the activity report of the local force covering the past twelve months. The document shows a significant increase in operational activity, with particular growth in areas such as criminal investigations (+295%), participation in judicial procedures (+113%), construction site closures (+129%) and interventions in road incidents involving injuries (+25%).
The councillor for Security, Mercedes Vargas Delgado, highlighted that “these figures reflect the intensity of the work carried out throughout the year and the capacity of the force to adapt to the municipality’s new challenges. Adeje continues to grow, and with it the need to provide agile, close and efficient responses.” She added that “the public should know that their local police maintain a constant presence on the streets with a firm commitment to prevention, support and care.”
In recent months, Adeje Town Hall has also reinforced actions against street vending and unauthorised services on public roads, particularly in areas with high tourist footfall. In this context, a new Beach Unit was launched within the Local Police in November, a unit the Town Hall had been developing for months, to ensure a permanent presence along the Adeje coastline. This new Unit operates on promenades and beaches to address street vending and other administrative or criminal offences and reduce the improper use of public spaces.
Activity report
The report reflects a notable increase in activity in the areas of sanctions, construction, traffic and public safety, consolidating the upward trend recorded in the previous period. The Sanctions Department processed 742 reports, including 98 related to classified activities and public performances, 10 related to drug and alcohol matters, and 53 reports concerning street vending, unlicensed advertising and other unauthorised activities. A total of 46 reports were processed for construction work without the required authorisation, and 16 sites were closed, representing a 129% increase on the previous period.
In the field of traffic and mobility, activity was especially high. The local force issued 12,889 municipal penalty notices, 927 sent to the Provincial Traffic Directorate and 96 to the Tenerife Cabildo, the latter mostly linked to increased unauthorised taxi activity. The municipal tow service carried out 6,248 operations, including 6,046 vehicle removals for improper parking, 14 removals of abandoned vehicles and 188 transfers to scrap as solid waste.
In public safety, 987 reports were processed, including 840 for the consumption or possession of illegal substances, 128 for public disturbances and 19 for the possession of weapons. The reporting office handled 158 administrative appearances and processed 601 criminal investigations, an increase of 295%, along with 117 investigations for minor offences, a decrease of 66% compared to the previous year. A further 1,413 judicial letters and reports were processed (+113%), 180 fast-track trials were conducted and 117 arrests were recorded.
Collaboration with the Justice Administration included the serving of 2,281 notifications and the processing of three restraining orders and two permanent location orders, ensuring compliance with court rulings.
In terms of road safety, the police attended 1,218 incidents (+10%), of which 260 involved injuries (+25%). A total of 99 investigations were carried out for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and 52 for driving without a licence, in application of article 384 of the Penal Code.
The Special Family Support Unit (GEAF) again handled some of the most sensitive areas of work. In matters relating to women, 133 interventions were carried out linked to cases included in the VIOGEN system. In the area of minors, 456 interventions were registered (+18%), including 111 referrals to Social Services (−45%) and 39 reports to the Prosecutor for Minors (−32%).
Administrative activity also remained high, with 14,100 documents received and 3,953 issued. The lost property service handled 1,103 cases, representing a 41% increase compared to the previous year.
