British bobbies insist taxpayer-funded trip to Magaluf IS value for money

“So the presence here of two British police officers, at the request of the Guardia Civil, is designed to ensure holidaymakers’ safety and security, while asking them to respect foreign laws”.

The two officers said that the trial scheme, which will also see them spend time in San Antonio, Ibiza, had been successful, but admitted a future project would “probably see them on the streets at night”.

Last year, Balearic authorities declared it was aiming to transform the notorious resort into a “mature tourist destination” by introducing new curbs on anti-social behavior and an overhaul of hotels in a bid to attract a more upmarket crowd.

“It sounds disrespectful, but if a British officer started telling me this is right, this is wrong, I think I would start listening more”.

Sgt Brett Williams said: “If you are dressed in a full British uniform in Mallorca, Magaluf, it is quite expected the public will take a real good interest in this and I hope they do”.

“Yes there are going to be some negative comments but also I hope the positives come through”.

Meanwhile, the West Midlands Police pair have been photographed swimming in the sea while off duty during their week-long spell on the holiday island.

Sgt Williams said: “The response we’ve had from the many holidaymakers we’ve met has been very positive”.

All the same it’s curious that only two officers have been deployed to the islands at a time when thousands of British youths will be heading to both resorts. One wonders why officers from the West Midlands were chosen for the task and whether either speak any Spanish in order to communicate with their Majorcan counterparts.

“It is very warm here and this uniform doesn’t really facilitate that”.

“I think that could be something we definitely have to look at”.

British Ambassador Simon Manley insisted placing the two officers in the party town was not a PR stunt and claimed Spanish police wanted them there to help keep holidaymakers safe.

Okay it is uncomfortable for us to walk around in but that’s what the British public want to see.

The two British bobbies will work shifts from 7am until 10pm which is somewhat puzzling given that this is normally the bewitching hour for young British revellers to begin partying in the resorts.

He said: “We will have to see on the basis of what they report back what, if anything, we do in years to come”. So anything we can do to reduce the pressure on the consulate, clearly that is going to assist both the people here, the consulate services.

Alex Patterson, 21, from Bridgend, South Wales, who has been in Magaluf since Friday with three friends, had not seen the officers and did not know they were on the island. And them not understanding that if they get injured in a drunken game that a lot of the time they have to pay for their repatriation and that’s an expensive game. “They might be, unfortunately, victims of crime”.

Spain carries out worldwide patrols in tourist areas in cooperation with police from Germany, France, Italy, Portugal and Morocco, according to the Guardia Civil.