Mallorca: migrant boat route grows, Balearics press Frontex

The Balearic government is pressing for Frontex, the European Union border agency, to be deployed on the islands as the migrant boat route continues to grow. Spokesman Antoni Costa made the call in Palma on Friday, 18 September, saying the route to the Balearics had overtaken the Canary Islands route. He said the regional government does not make a direct link between migrant boat arrivals and rising crime.

Costa said many people do make that connection and that the government understands their concern. He accused Spain’s central government of looking the other way as the flow grows and said it alone was responsible for Frontex not being deployed in the Balearics.

The regional government is also asking for more National Police and Civil Guard staff. Costa said filling vacancies and strengthening teams would put the forces in a position to control the rise in crime.

Topics: Police · Migration · Politics

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com