A popular British YouTuber vowed never to return to Benidorm with his camera – after claiming it was too dangerous to film there. The content creator, known as Just Deano, had a truly miserable week in the holiday hotspot recently and admitted he would never return due to the crime. Among the things that happened to him was an unprovoked assault and being offered drugs countless times.

He has since posted a video about his experience, with the title: “CRIME RIDDEN HELL HOLE – Scams, Drugs, Fights, Pickpockets & more – I WILL NEVER GO BACK TO BENIDORM.” And addressing his 35,300 subscribers, he said: “Now, before I get into this video, I do want to clarify, there’s a lot of people that like Benidorm, there’s a lot of people that enjoy Benidorm and come here for the right reasons.

“However, there is a lot of people that come here for the wrong reasons. I have seen fights, I have been asked if I wanted drugs hundreds of times this week, hundreds of times. I have seen pickpockets, I have seen scammers, it is just an absolutely awful place to come in my opinion and I for one won’t be back with the camera.”

Deano stayed in Hotel Magic Villa Benidorm for one week at a cost of £579 which included a breakfast he was complimentary of. However, leaving his hotel to grab food on different occasions, Deano claimed he witnessed up to three fights on the street.

He also advised Brits not to travel to the Spanish seaside resort alone after it was labelled the “Narcos capital of the Costa Blanca”.

Deano added: “I am on my own, I would never ever recommend anyone to come to Benidorm on their own. You’re too vulnerable. I am a 6ft, 18 stone bald man, and there’s still people…”

Giving an example of what happened to him on a previous night, he said: “I got whacked on the back of the head, I don’t know if it was a punch, bottle, a bat, a stick, I don’t know what it was, as soon as I turned around there was just a group of lads laughing.”

Deano said Benidorm was simply not for him before adding that he witnessed pickpocketing on a street known as ‘Muggers alley’.

Earlier this year, a British local told The Spanish Eye: “This has been going on for a long time, it’s outside the Magic Villa de Benidorm and right next to the local tourist police station, which is closed in the evening.”

One video shared online showed a woman obstructing a man before other women swarmed and pickpocketed him.

Deano said he saw examples of this all from his hotel window and said it was “absolutely disgusting” to see it in person. 

Earlier this year, the Policia Nacional said perpetrators had been arrested “several times” and it added: “As a preventative measure, continuous patrols are carried out in this area, as well as throughout the rest of the town, to prevent the commission of this crime.”

Offering advice for visitors, it added: “Always keep an eye on your personal belongings, especially in crowded areas. Do NOT keep cell phones or wallets in back pockets or easily accessible areas. Be wary of strangers who approach you with vague excuses or exaggerated gestures.

“In the event of a robbery, do not confront the offender directly and notify the police immediately. Write down the IMEI (serial) number of your device to facilitate its recovery in case of theft.”

Frank the Stagman meanwhile, the popular British owner of Millers Beach Bar, recently described a “massive increase in crime” in Benidorm.

However, after sharing an audio clip of Frank’s assessment, Deano encouraged his viewers to make their own minds up about Benidorm through their own personal experiences.

But aside from the crime he witnessed, Deano said the cheap thrills Benidorm offered was not worth his time.

He concluded: “Cheap beer, €1 pints, €2 pints, €1.50 pints, happy hour in every pub. Is it all that great? No. The answer is no.

“I haven’t had a decent pint anywhere I’ve been. Anywhere I’ve been. Yes, they are cheap, but I’ve ended up drinking like cider and Kopparberg (generally more expensive).”

After posting his video, which you can watch in full here, one person replied: “That headline could fit any city in the UK over the last 5 years without the sun.”

Another said: “It’s a shame you have had such bad experiences there. I went in February with my two year old and it was lovely, very clean and family friendly and nice beaches. I think it’s if you are about town late at night or drunk where you would get targeted as we were never out late. I never felt unsafe when I was there I think you have had bad luck. Benidorm gets bad crack when it’s actually pretty nice.”

A third said: “We’re in Benidorm now. He’s going to the wrong places if he’s finding trouble. Love Benidorm. Been loads of times.”

Deano later posted another video where he said he had been abused because of his opinions on Benidorm.