Torrevieja Town Hall has begun actively enforcing one of the most unusual measures in its cohabitation ordinance, which has been in place since February 2022. The rule penalises not only those who carry out unauthorised street vending, but also the individuals who buy from them. During July and August, local police issued fines of 200€ to people caught purchasing products from unlicensed street sellers, known as “top manta”, primarily along the Juan Aparicio promenade.
Although the rule was previously considered difficult to implement and served mainly as a deterrent, officers have now taken direct action. Article 28.3 of the municipal ordinance explicitly prohibits buying or acquiring food, drinks, and other goods from unauthorised street sellers in public spaces. The offence is classified as a minor infraction.
Several proceedings have already been completed, resulting in paid penalties. For instance, a report filed on 9th July along the Juan Aparicio promenade led to the seizure of a white XL Spain national football team t-shirt bought from an unlicensed seller.
Fines for buyers are generally hard to enforce because sellers clear the area as soon as uniform officers approach. Torrevieja Town Hall has requested permission from the Subdelegation of the Government for seven years to deploy plainclothes officers to tackle the issue, though this approval has not yet been granted.
Further police actions along the seafront in August follow a similar pattern. On 5th August, near a Burger King on the Juan Aparicio promenade, officers confiscated a cap from a buyer. The following day, another intervention on the same promenade ended with the seizure of two packs of boxer shorts. These cases carry a proposed fine of 200€, which can be reduced by 40% down to 120€ if paid early.
A few days later, officers seized purchased items including trainers, underwear, and trousers on the same promenade. On 10th August, officers confiscated a football shirt, a pair of trousers allegedly counterfeit from Nike, and three items of men’s underwear. Additional items were seized near the Koala Bay store on the same day, though specific details were not provided in the report.
While the legal files do not explicitly classify all confiscated goods as counterfeits, some items were identified by specific brand names or teams. The offence charged against the buyer does not depend on whether a product is fake; the ordinance punishes the act of purchasing any item in a public space from an unlicensed seller. The measure targets the unauthorised occupation of public space rather than counterfeit goods, which requires separate verification later.
Putting the rule into practice was the primary hurdle identified when the local council launched a campaign in 2023 to warn residents and tourists about the 200€ fines. To issue a penalty, local police must witness and prove the transaction, which is difficult when sellers quickly pack up upon spotting police presence. However, recent proceedings show that authorities have moved from warnings to active fines.
The focus on the Juan Aparicio promenade is intentional, as unlicensed street vending frequently occupies public space there during peak hours. The municipal strategy aims to target demand by confiscating purchased goods and fining customers on the spot.
Clear signs warning against illegal purchases and fines are installed along the promenade, yet transactions remain common during the summer peak. Combined with authorised terrace seating taking up over half of the public walkway, the seafront becomes highly congested in July and August.
Efforts to curb unlicensed street vending were particularly intense this summer due to an increased police deployment, made possible by higher staffing levels and additional overtime allocations. As police pressure increased, incidents involving street sellers occurred, including damage to a vehicle, threats made with a blade, and direct threats against officers. The Guardia Civil security unit provided reinforcement to the local police during operations in adjacent seafront streets.
