For many Brits, the dream of retiring or relocating to a sunny Spanish coast is all about peace, leisure, and a slower pace of life.
But for thousands living in Orihuela Costa, that dream has started to unravel.
What was once a peaceful haven is now being described by residents as a “petty criminal’s paradise,” with a rising tide of violent crime, break-ins, and almost no police presence.
A Popular Spot Now Gripped by Fear
Located just over an hour south of Benidorm, Orihuela Costa is beloved for its gorgeous beaches, serene coves, and warm community of expats—many of them British.
Over the last decade, the number of Brits living there has shot up to about 10,000, making up more than 12% of the town’s population.
But lately, residents say they’re living in fear.
A wave of violence—including muggings, burglaries, and even gangland shootings—has left many questioning whether this sunny escape is still safe.
Shocking Crimes Hit the Headlines
Back in May, an Irish gangster was shot in the head in what appeared to be a gang-related assassination.
Just months earlier, in November, a 15-year-old Spanish girl named Chloe was brutally killed—her throat slit in the street in a horrifying attack allegedly carried out by her ex-boyfriend.
Meanwhile, an elusive suspect dubbed the “Backpack Burglar” has been targeting British homes.
Even though his face has been caught on doorbell cameras and shared with police, he’s still at large.
And he’s not alone—multiple videos have surfaced showing criminals trying to break into both cars and homes across the area.
Expats Feel Abandoned by Local Police
Adding to the frustration is a severe lack of local law enforcement.
Orihuela Costa’s police force has been shrinking, with 17 key roles currently unfilled, including top positions like a superintendent and several inspectors.
Residents feel forgotten, especially as Orihuela Costa falls under the jurisdiction of Orihuela City Council—whose members live inland, and allegedly direct most funding and attention to their own part of the municipality.
Allan Dick, 68, who heads his apartment complex Villa San Jose 4, says the fear among residents is very real.
“People are seeing strangers snooping around at night, looking into windows, scoping out homes.
Criminals know they can get away with it because there are hardly any police.”
One British expat recently decided to leave after finding out someone had tried to break into his home. “His daughters were terrified,” said Allan.
“He just said, ‘That’s it, we’re packing up.’ It’s heartbreaking.”
Brutal Attacks Shake the Community
Retired firefighter David Homer was viciously attacked in April while walking home in the Las Ramblas area.
Two men reportedly jumped him from behind a hedge—one beat him with a wooden stick while the other slashed him in the head with a blade.
“I was bleeding heavily and couldn’t see,” David shared.
“They were kicking me, demanding my wallet and phone.”
He also expressed outrage that he had to wait until Monday to file a police report because the local station was shut over the weekend.
During his visit to the station, David noted that four other muggings were being reported at the same time.
“This Isn’t the Life We Moved Here For”
Long-time resident Roy Howitt, who lives in the La Florida neighborhood, says the rise in crime is undeniable.
He shared chilling doorbell footage from May showing a knife-wielding burglar attempting a break-in at 3 a.m.
“I haven’t seen a police patrol in three months,” Roy said.
He’s now installed cameras that run on solar power and store footage directly to the cloud.
“We even carry personal alarms now,” he added. “Criminals have learned to cut wires and disable alarms.”
Residents Turn to Self-Protection
Others like Stephen Walley, 62, vice president of his housing complex, have noticed a surge in people installing CCTV systems.
“We’ve had masked men trying to break into cars,” he said. “People are definitely more cautious now.”
To make matters worse, basic services have declined sharply.
“Rubbish is piling up, the streets are filthy, and services haven’t kept up with the town’s growth,” Stephen said.
“We used to pay €72 a year for waste collection.
Now it’s jumped to €202—and the service is worse.”
Fighting Back Through Politics
Fed up with being ignored, some expats are getting political.
Priscilla Cromie, 52, from Belfast, co-founded a new political party called PIOC (Partido Independencia Orihuela Costa) with the goal of getting Brits and other expats elected to fight for their area.
“There’s barely any police presence, and drug gangs are operating freely,” Priscilla said.
“When I first moved here, this was a village.
Now it’s a full-fledged town, but none of the infrastructure has kept up.”
She highlighted how Orihuela Costa lacks even the most basic services: “No police stations open after 2pm, no 24-hour ambulances, no fire department, not even a local library.
I applied for a disability badge for my son 24 years ago and still haven’t received it.”
A Stark Contrast with Orihuela City
Many residents feel particularly bitter about the difference in public investment between their community and Orihuela City, where Spanish councillors reside.
“They’re spending €30 million on a fancy new museum,” Priscilla said.
“They have rubbish bins that open with the wave of a hand. Meanwhile, ours are broken and trash is everywhere.”
Growing Protests—But Is Change Coming?
Frustrated by the state of things, hundreds of expats have taken to the streets.
A protest at the end of May over the garbage issue drew a crowd of 400 people.
Priscilla admitted that a few potholes have since been fixed and the bins are slightly better—but it’s far from enough.
“There’s so much more to be done,” she said. “We’re not giving up.”
