Playa del Inglés, Gran Canaria – What began as a routine police inspection at the Plaza Shopping Centre in Playa del Inglés has escalated into a criminal investigation after officers discovered 27 minors allegedly locked inside a nightclub room to avoid detection.
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The operation took place in the early hours of Sunday, 31 August 2025, led by the National Police’s Foreigners and Labour Brigade. Officers were checking for underage patrons, unregistered workers, and undocumented employees in the nightlife venues of the shopping centre.
🚨 Discovery of Minors at New One Nightclub
According to police reports and local media, staff at the New One nightclub hurriedly led a group of underage customers into a hidden loft-style office as police entered the premises. The room, without windows and ventilated only by a fan, had its door locked while the teenagers were ordered to remain silent and turn off their phones.
Despite these instructions, some managed to record discreet videos, while one 16-year-old girl sent a message to her father, a police officer, saying: “Dad, I’m scared. They put us in a room so the police wouldn’t see us. We’re being hidden.”
The father, already on duty nearby, alerted colleagues on site. Officers eventually located the mezzanine room, where they found 27 frightened minors along with five nightclub employees guarding the door.
👮 Police Response and Ongoing Investigation
The teenagers were escorted out, given water, and their details — along with their parents’ — were recorded for formal statements at the Maspalomas Police Station.
The nightclub’s employees and management are now being investigated for an alleged crime of illegal detention, in addition to possible administrative offences for allowing minors into the venue.
The Judicial Police have taken over the case. No arrests have yet been confirmed, but sanctions could include fines, licence suspensions, or closures.
📍 Plaza: A Long-Contested Entertainment Hub
The Plaza Shopping Centre has been a focal point of nightlife in Playa del Inglés since the 1980s. Once a vibrant hub for tourists, it has long faced complaints over noise, disorder, and underage access.
In recent years, police and local authorities have conducted repeated inspections, particularly during high season, targeting unlicensed sales, drugs, and irregular employment. While other centres like Yumbo have improved their reputations, Plaza continues to be one of the more controversial zones, attracting budget tourism and frequent scrutiny.
🔎 Broader Pattern of Nightlife Enforcement
This latest raid is part of a series of stepped-up operations across the south of Gran Canaria, including Maspalomas, Puerto Rico, and San Fernando.
Officials say the aim is to balance a thriving entertainment sector with enforcement of safety, labour, and child protection laws. The discovery at New One nightclub, however, highlights the severity of violations still present in parts of the nightlife scene.
