Tourists on holiday in Spain warned over £170 fine under new police crackdown

British holidaymakers in Spain could be hit with fines of £170 as undercover police prepare to patrol the streets.

The fines will be issued to those who purchase souvenirs from unlicensed sellers on the beaches and streets of popular tourist spots.

Costa Blanca, known for its 'manteros' or top mantras, is looking to reduce the number of sellers displaying their goods on a blanket. These sellers are often found peddling counterfeit designer handbags, clothing, watches and sunglasses.

According to the local Association of Traders and Businessmen, these unlicensed sellers cause local shop owners in the coastal town of Benalmadena to lose between 20 and 30 percent of their profits. Recently, the Guardia Civil seized several tonnes of fake products from a warehouse in Alicante intended for these street vendors.

The mayor of Torrevieja has requested additional police officers during the summer months to enforce the new rules. During peak summer, the city's population balloons to around 500,000, according to Alicante Today, as reported by Birmingham Live.

This crackdown aligns with a series of rules designed to combat overcrowding and massive surges in tourism as the industry rebounds from the pandemic, reports the Express.

Those defying the street-drinking ban in Magaluf could find themselves hit with hefty fines of up to £1,290, a law that's set to be in effect until at least December 2027.

Meanwhile, the southern region of Costa del Sol is echoing similar demands for tougher penalties against tourists who purchase items from the roaming street merchants commonly referred to as "looky looky men".

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