Bilbao will open its eighth municipal police station in Santutxu in 2027, fulfilling a pledge made by all political groups in the city council. The station, located in a former Kutxabank office, will serve Santutxu's 50,000 residents and also Bolueta. The acquisition cost 1.5 million euros.
This initiative is part of a broader commitment to enhance community safety, including neighborhood workshops, and increased neighborhood patrols. It follows a 2018 pact and a revised 2023 pact that includes this new station and 32 additional security measures.
The decision followed debates about the need for the station, prompted by concerns about rising crime rates in Santutxu and public perception of insecurity, despite the city's continued claim of being one of the safest in Spain.
The new station opening is part of a larger safety initiative involving 33 measures. Despite Bilbao being rated as one of the safest cities in Spain, a recent survey reveals a decrease in the public's sense of security, with a score of 5.73.