Man arrested for assaulting environmental officer at Maspalomas dunes

A man has been arrested after allegedly assaulting an environmental officer who challenged him for entering a restricted area of the Maspalomas dunes in Gran Canaria.

The incident happened during a joint patrol by environmental officers and the Canary Islands Police at the nature reserve, one of the south of the island’s most popular attractions.

Officers spotted the man walking through an area where visitors are not permitted to leave the authorised paths. When asked to identify himself over the suspected environmental offence, he allegedly refused repeatedly and tried to leave.

According to police, a struggle followed with one of the officers, prompting the police officers on the patrol to intervene.

The man was arrested on suspicion of serious disobedience, resisting officers and causing injury to an officer. He was later placed at the disposal of the courts. Police confirmed that the man is a foreign national but did not disclose his nationality.

Why are parts of the dunes restricted?

The Maspalomas dunes are a protected nature reserve, home to plants and wildlife that can be damaged or disturbed when people leave designated routes.

Visitors can explore the reserve using the authorised paths, but access to certain areas is restricted to protect vegetation and wildlife habitats. Police and environmental officers carry out joint patrols to monitor the area and help enforce the rules.

Visitors are advised to follow signs and stay on the marked routes when crossing the dunes, particularly where access to surrounding areas is restricted.