Alicante launches anti-squatting office

Alicante has inaugurated the Anti-Illegal Occupation Office at the Local Police Headquarters in Babel this Tuesday. This service will provide 24-hour assistance to those affected by this type of crime starting today.

The office will be staffed by a local police officer and an administrative worker who will be responsible for advising and assisting individuals seeking to understand their rights. The aim is to expedite action due to the narrow window available for this crime - just a few hours - from the moment the 'door kick-in' occurs.

The Mayor of Alicante, Luis Barcala, has deemed this an important day as this office protects the right to private property and combats crime associated with squatting, such as mafias and organised groups. "Squatting is not only a problem for those whose homes are occupied but also creates issues for all neighbours and the neighbourhood," the mayor highlighted.

The mayor also explained that alongside the launch of the office, a campaign will be conducted to inform the public about this service and their rights. Additionally, Barcala emphasised that reaching agreements with Vox was natural as both parties included proposals in their electoral programmes to combat illegal squatting. "Different teams agreeing on issues that concern citizens should be more common," he stated.

Meanwhile, Vox spokesperson Carmen Robledillo praised an initiative included by the party in the agreement for the 2024 municipal budget. "We are going to start seriously defending private property from a problem affecting many city neighbourhoods and causing community issues," she said. This office adds to the Maternity Support Office in the agreements fulfilled by the PP.

Chief Commissioner José María Conesa explained that this office aims to address a problem they are aware of. He stated that the function will be to advise and accompany individuals through the process until the complaint is filed or even immediate intervention in cases allowed by law if it occurs within the first few hours of squatting. Conesa stressed the importance of swift action in these cases, something the mayor also referenced, noting that squatting is now among the crimes that can be judged by summary trial.

Barcala also mentioned that alongside the office's launch, a public awareness campaign will be initiated to help citizens understand the resources available to them. "The issue of housing must have solutions other than taking away someone else's private property," the mayor asserted.

Furthermore, although the office will start with two workers, the mayor announced that it will expand based on the needs and demand for these services. Efforts are also underway to enable Ali, the virtual assistant of the Alicante City Council, to provide information on these crimes with specialised information on squatting.

The new anti-squatting office at the Alicante City Council will function as an advisory service in such cases, as the National Police holds the authority to act in most of these situations.

Thus, when a citizen inquires at this office, they will be advised, informed of the resources available, and in most cases, the complaint will be processed, or they will be accompanied to file the complaint with the courts or the National Police. However, in cases of flagrant crime - when the occupation is ongoing or has occurred recently - they could act. Conesa emphasised the importance of immediate action given the brief window before it becomes a dwelling.