A Safer Santa Faz Than Ever: National Police Protect the Relic with Machine Guns

Santa Faz is always a special day. The pilgrimage, one of the largest single-day gatherings in Spain (Rocío lasts a week), attracted 350,000 people in 2025, necessitating extraordinary efforts in terms of resources and coordination by the State Security Forces. In total, nearly 800 officers were present.

The special National Police operation included officers from the Prevention and Reaction Unit, Citizen Attention Group, Operational Response Group, Provincial Information Brigades, Immigration and Borders, Tedax, Cavalry, Mobile Brigade, Canine Guides, and the Air Media Service, who were responsible for monitoring and protecting the airspace.

The security measures were spectacular and unique. For the first time in memory, National Police officers guarded the Santa Faz relic with machine guns in the Luis Foglietti square during the Eucharist. A detail that went unnoticed by most, but highlighted the meticulousness of the operation.

Another major innovation was the Preventive Command Centre installed by the Alicante City Council for the first time, tasked with coordinating all municipal services.

Meanwhile, the Local Police also performed public safety functions, as well as traffic and control to prevent alcohol consumption among young people. A total of 300 local police officers, 100 Civil Protection volunteers, and a drone unit from the Fire Brigade participated in the security operation to ensure the smooth running of the Pilgrimage along the route, in the Santa Faz hamlet, and at Playa San Juan.

"Only 37 minor medical assistances were recorded by two in the afternoon, with no hospital transfers; 340 litres of alcohol were seized, and three carts were intercepted. For the first time, the Alicante City Council installed a Preventive Command Post at the Santa Faz neighbourhood association with the participation of the Local Police of Alicante and Sant Joan, Red Cross, Civil Guard, and National Police," explained the mayor, Luis Barcala.