30/10/2013 00:00
TW
0
By Humphrey Carter PALMA

IT has been a tense and busy week for Palma's Local and National Police units charged with keeping an eye on the growing numbers of Latin gangs in the municipality.

Only two weeks ago, the police managed to prevent a clash of gangs which had been organised by using social networks and on Sunday evening, they were forced to step in again to stave off a battle between two gangs in Cala Major.

Only on Friday night, the police mounted an operation in the neighbourhood of Son Oliva where a collection of weapons was confiscated from Latino Gang members of various ages and on Sunday evening, a similar haul of knives, clubs and stolen goods was also seized. The alarm was raised by residents in Calle Gavina, just after 7pm. They reported that there was a growing presence of Latin Gang members in the area and “there intentions did not appear to be good.” Local Police rapid response units were quickly as the scene and confirmed what worried neighbours had reported and that the main battle ground appeared to be near one of the resort's most popular night clubs. Fearing the worst, the police called for back up and an extra nine Local and National Police patrols were deployed to the scene.

On hearing the sirens, many of the gang members fled the scene in various directions, some even tried to hide on the beach. However, police intercepted at least 20 gang members who were questioned and processed before being released because they had not committed a crime.

What is more, the knives and bats confiscated by the police were found discarded on the beach.
However, police did recover a collection of suspect bus tickets etc. which leads them to suspect that the gang has been preying on school children either when they leave college or in squares and parks where they gather in the afternoons. One of the gangs, and its activities, is well known to the police and this latest incident, according to sources close to the investigation has set alarm, bells ringing. “There appears to be a lot of tension on the street. We don't want these clashes ending with lives being lost.”