The thieves snatched charity tins raising money for disabled children, a collection of notes donated during the pub's weekly quizzes, and small change from the till, said Simon Dearing.
15:10, Mon, Mar 24, 2025 | UPDATED: 15:16, Mon, Mar 24, 2025
The Costa del Sol is popular among British expats [FILE PIC] (Image: Andy Commins / Daily Mirror)
A British pub owner in Spain's Costa del Sol has slammed police for failing to tackle a surge in burglaries after his bar was targeted for the third time in six months. Thieves smashed through the front window of The Rose and Thistle in La Duquesa, Manilva, making off with charity tins, cash, and even a few beers before vanishing into the night.
Owner Simon Dearing said the area has been plagued by break-ins recently, but police are doing little to stop them. He told The Olive Press: “We had the Guardia Civil here yesterday—basically, nothing they can do. They didn’t take fingerprints as apparently it’s pointless due to it being a public area so they would be smudged.
“They didn’t even want to test the large kitchen knife they tried to pry open the fruit machine with.”
The thieves snatched charity tins raising money for disabled children, a collection of notes donated during the pub’s weekly quizzes, and small change from the till.
They also ransacked the bar, smashing beer bottles and attempting—unsuccessfully—to break into the fruit machine using a kitchen knife and even a corkscrew.
Mr Dearing said: “This is gut-wrenching. A lot of damage and cost to fix the window and somehow try and raise the charity money again that was taken.”
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He warned that his bar is far from the only target, with a recent spate of robberies hitting the area.
He added: “I believe at least two in the port this week and others in Sabinillas. I’ve had three break-ins in the last six months.”
His frustration comes as three people arrested earlier this week on suspicion of being part of a robbery gang were released on bail while investigations continue.
Local business owners are now pushing for change, stressed Mr Dearing.
He explained: “There is a petition going around from a beer supplier to try and get better policing. Maybe too little, too late.”
The Express has contacted the Guardia Civil for comment.
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