The economic crisis is being blamed for an increase in crime in rural areas, especially thefts from farms.
The Guardia Civil is being forced to strengthen security in rural areas, including traffic on country roads, as well as carrying out more checks on flea markets where the proceeds of robberies are often sold.
The police have detected organised groups posing as farm labourers to steal everything from fruit and vegetables to farm machinery.
One of the problems facing the police is that if the value of goods stolen is less than €400, it is not generally actually considered stealing or, at worse, a €180 fine is levied in some cases.