Official unveiling yesterday attended by Consul Paul Rodwell |
The office is located on the first floor of the El Torrejo Tourist Information office in the Old Town - walk to the very end of Levante beach and it´s virtually right in front of you. As you enter the building, directly to your right are stairs that will take you up to the first floor - there is a lift available for those with mobility problems. The reason why it is on the first floor as opposed to the ground floor is to give more privacy - the ground floor is all open plan and where the tourist information point is, with numerous people going in and out. It´s a shame that it is so far away really - ideally it was needed in the Rincon, where we suggested last year, incorporated with the Tourist Information office in front of Morgans Tavern - but it´s a start!
Plaque on front of building |
Unfortunately, and probably expected it is not a 24 hour service - the opening times are Monday to Friday 9.00am until 9.00pm and Saturday/Sunday 10.00am until 2.00pm... however, it is out of these hours that the service is really required - muggers don´t tend to operate in business hours! Perhaps once it is up and running they may review this...
The Foreign Tourist Assistance Service is a police department whose role is to offer foreign tourists visiting the resort assistance, if in the unfortunate situation they become a victim of crime.
They will be able to offer help with the following:
- Assistance in reporting a crime
- Making a denuncia
- Cancelling Credit Cards and other documents
- Contacting the Consulate
- Contacting family members
- Assistance locating lost property
- Psychological help if required
Benidorm becomes the third largest city in Spain, after Madrid and Malaga to have a "SATE" office - highlighting the importance of the resort to the economy.
British Consul Paul Rodwell attended the official inauguration yesterday and addressed the delegates and issued the following statement "We have been working closely with Benidorm town hall on this initiative and I am delighted that British tourists who visit Benidorm will now have better support from the Spanish authorities if they are a victim of crime. The fact that the victims can receive support in English is an important step forward and we shall continue to work closely with the National Police to ensure that the assistance British victims receive is appropriate to their needs and situation"
It is certainly a step in the right direction, with coordination between the National Police and authorities in Benidorm.
Yesterdays "altercation" at the Indoor Market |