Algeciras Police Seek Reinforcements for Expected Surge in Moroccan Travelers

"The resumption of maritime passenger traffic between Algeciras and Morocco, after two years of closure due to the health crisis, risks causing a massive influx of Moroccan citizens this summer that would be difficult for the Algeciras police to manage, who suffer from a severe lack of personnel, exacerbated by the massive departure of agents during the latest postings due to the difficult working conditions in the Campo de Gibraltar," explains the union in a statement cited by Europa Sur.

To read: Spanish Police Brace for Surge as Morocco-Europe Travel Resumes

Jupol assures that "more than 100 police officers will leave the Algeciras police station," due to the "increased workload and unfulfilled promises of the government...", recalling that the Algeciras police station had denounced a deficit of 300 agents for years. This is why the union urges the Ministry of the Interior to "act by urgently sending the necessary reinforcements to meet the staffing needs of the Algeciras police station."

To read: Algeciras Port Prepares for Surge in Moroccan Travelers as Marhaba 2022 Operation Begins

Specifically, it calls on the ministry to "urgently and exceptionally create a special unit for the maritime border of Algeciras," stressing that the planned temporary personnel assignment is insufficient to cope with the expected flow of MRE for the 2022 Marhaba Operation. At the very least, "doubling the workforce" will be needed to manage this significant movement of people between Europe and Morocco via Algeciras, which is a "European border and must be treated as such."