Last year the Local Police in Estepona imposed 74 fines on bars in the town, five times as many as in 2006. Paperwork not being in order was the reason for the majority of the cases opened, followed by staying open too late at night.
As far as the paperwork is concerned the most typical problems involved failing to produce an opening licence or not officially registering a change in owner, according to statistics produced by the Local Police.
This type of administrative offence carries fines ranging between 300 and 1,500 euros, plus even the temporary closure of the business.
Another problem the Local Police look out for is the use of drugs on the premises of these establishments. The figures released by the force indicate that last year the volume of narcotic substances confiscated increased by 10 per cent. These were mainly hashish, cocaine and psychotropic pills. The number of police interventions involving the confiscation of sharp weapons remained the same as the previous year.
Also in 2007 there was an “alarming” increase (143%) in enquiries opened by the police into cases of public disorder in the area of the town where most of the pubs and disco bars are located. Action taken against drinking alcohol in the street increased by 136%.
