National Police in Málaga have arrested a man in connection with at least thirty thefts of personal items from bathers on the beaches in the city.
Police officers began circulating the descriptions of various suspects after a flood of complaints that wallets, phones and other items had been stolen while bathers went into the water for a swim.
Officers in plain clothes visited beaches, kiosks, bars and restaurants with photos of several suspects and found that many people recognised the same individual.
After three days, police found the suspect hanging around the beach at La Malagueta and, although he was not actually caught in the act, he was arrested on suspicion of theft. He is thought to be responsible for at least thirty thefts of personal property.
Itinerant groups of thieves and pickpockets are known to flock to the coast during the summer season, confident of easy pickings. Many disguise themselves as tourists to blend in and a large number are foreign nationals.
On the beaches, people happily leave their belongings while they go for a cooling dip, only to return and find everything gone. During the summer months, over 35% of crimes committed in Málaga province are thefts.