More National Police officers are now working at Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport as the continuing growth in international flights puts greater pressure on border controls.
Staffing at the airport’s border post has increased by more than 60% over the past three years, according to Roberto Sánchez Sánchez, acting head of the Policía Nacional station in Elche.
More police at Alicante Airport
The airport border post falls within the work of the Policía Nacional in Elche, and its growing workload has become one of the station’s main challenges.
Sánchez said increasing staffing by more than 60% had not been easy, but described the reinforcement as necessary given Alicante’s position as one of Spain’s major gateways for international tourism.
Border officers deal with passengers entering and leaving the Schengen Area, alongside other border and immigration duties.
The airport is not the only area where the nature of police work in Elche is changing.
Internet crime creates another challenge
Online crime and fraud have forced the Policía Nacional to develop specialist teams and train officers to deal with offences committed through the internet and social media.
Sánchez said the proportion of complaints arriving at the Elche station involving online activity continues to grow.
However, the latest official crime figures show a more complicated picture.
Cybercrime in Elche fell by 4% during the first six months of 2026 following a substantial increase during 2025, when it rose by 20.1%.
Police recorded 913 cybercrime offences in the first half of this year, 42 fewer than during the same period in 2025.
Computer fraud, which accounts for much of this type of crime, also fell by 5%.
Despite that recent decline, the longer-term growth of online offending has prompted the Policía Nacional to create dedicated groups and increase specialist training.
Extra work for immigration officers
The Immigration and Borders brigade has also faced additional demands this year.
Its normal responsibilities include foreign resident documentation as well as investigations into human trafficking and illegal immigration networks.
Sánchez said the brigade had faced an additional workload connected with the Spanish Government’s extraordinary regularisation process.
Although applications under that process closed on 30 June, Policía Nacional documentation units subsequently handle the issue of TIE cards to successful applicants.
That makes the workload particularly relevant in an area with a substantial international population.
Elche police report stable crime levels
Despite the changing demands, Sánchez gave a positive assessment of policing in Elche over the past year.
He said officers had managed to keep overall crime levels under control while reducing some offences that tend to cause particular public concern.
The force also works alongside the Policía Local, Guardia Civil, private security companies, courts, lawyers and health and emergency services.
Bridging the Gap’s recap
- Policía Nacional staffing at Alicante Airport’s border post has risen by more than 60% in three years.
- Police link the increase to the growth in international flights and passenger traffic.
- The airport border post forms part of the Policía Nacional’s work in Elche.
- Elche recorded 913 cybercrime offences during the first half of 2026.
- Cybercrime fell by 4% after rising sharply during 2025.
- Computer fraud fell by 5% in the first six months of this year.
- Police have created specialist teams and training to tackle online crime.
- Immigration officers have also faced additional documentation work during 2026.
