A British man was beaten and had his watch stolen in front of his wife and daughter by a lurking gang in Majorca. Spanish police are now investigating the incident
Police are investigating after a British tourist was beaten and mugged for his £40,000 Rolex watch in front of his wife and daughter in Majorca.
The Brit, 44, was attacked in the resort of Port d’Andratx in the south-west of the island during an evening stroll that took place after a meal at a luxury hotel. It is thought the man had been watched for hours by an organised gang following repeated warnings about Rolex thefts in both Majorca, other Spanish holiday islands and the mainland.
The violent robbery, which saw three people get out of a car and snatch the watch, is being investigated by the Spanish Civil Guard. It comes after a warning to Brit tourists planning all-inclusive holidays to Spain.
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“The man, together with his partner and their young daughter, was walking quietly in the area after having dinner in a luxury restaurant,” Spanish newspaper Ultimahora.es reported. “Suddenly a car stopped nearby and three men with their faces covered came out of it and went directly to them. Between all of them they held the Briton and in a few seconds, and despite the resistance of the injured party, they stole the valuable watch he was wearing on one of his wrists.”
The man’s frightened daughter began to scream during the attack, which alerted hotel staff, and patrols from the Local Police of Andratx and the Civil Guard appeared at the scene within minutes. By then, the alleged criminals had already raced away from the scene after getting back in their vehicle with the watch.
Investigators are now reviewing CCTV at different points in the Port d’Andratx area in a bid to identify the thugs. Police have also interviewed a number of witnesses.
Sources close to the investigation say the gang had almost certainly watched the family for a number of hours before they struck. The extent of the British man’s injuries is not yet known.
It comes after Brits heading on holiday to Spain this summer were warned by police about a crime wave hitting all-inclusive hotels. Police have told tourists to be on their guard after a sudden increase in thefts and robberies from individuals and gangs who are targeting these types of locations.
Authorities say that although all-inclusive hotels provide a wide variety of services but “safety is not usually among them.” Through a video published on its official TikTok account, the Spanish National Police have issued an alert that highlights “a common and dangerous practice among tourists”: neglecting their belongings while enjoying the pools and beaches of hotels.
“It is essential to remember that travelling to an all-inclusive hotel does not expressly guarantee protection for your personal effects in common areas such as the pool. Therefore, although it is a period to relax and disconnect, it is advisable to stay in control and take measures to avoid unpleasant situations that can spoil your holiday,” say the police.
Thefts tend to increase especially on summer holidays in destinations such as the Costa del Sol, the Costa Blanca, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands, where the influx of tourists skyrockets and security measures can be overwhelmed on certain occasions.