Andorra Ministers Clarify Single Man Slept Two Nights at Parc Central Playground

Ministers from Social Affairs and Interior addressed reports of rough sleeping at Parc Central playground in Andorra la Vella on Wednesday, clarifying that only one man spent two nights there and that Social Affairs had offered him accommodation once informed.

The individual, a legal resident known to Social Affairs from prior interventions, arrived around 9pm each evening during the nights of Sunday to Monday and Monday to Tuesday. He set up a cardboard shelter near the duck pond and toilets, departing by 8am. Private security spotted two people shortly after 2am on the first night and alerted police, who arrived 90 minutes later, identified them and escorted them away. The pair briefly returned before police departed. On the second night, around 5am, guards found only the man, whom police confirmed held a green residency card and was under Social Affairs monitoring. He dismantled the shelter and left voluntarily, with no public order issues warranting eviction.

Social Affairs Minister Trini Marín stated the man knows available resources well, having used them before, but did not request help this time. "We were unaware he had nowhere to sleep these nights," she said, denying reports of his tutelage and noting past difficulties with compliance despite support from psychologists and educators. Interior Minister Ester Molné added that police referred the case to Social Affairs upon awareness, securing overnight lodging. She clarified sleeping rough is not illegal in Andorra—unlike begging—and described such cases as "very residual," handled individually.

The Andorra la Vella commune, alerted by residents and passers-by, activated standard protocols: security notified traffic agents, who informed police as the competent authority. Officials confirmed ongoing monitoring with relevant services and no similar incidents elsewhere in the parish.

Security sources described rough sleeping as a recurring challenge at the park despite vigilant patrols, tying up resources without permanent fixes. No further nights at the site have occurred, and authorities emphasised coordinated responses limit forced actions absent court orders from the Batllia.