Police officers say around-the-clock watch over collection of empty boxes is humiliating

Police in the Spanish city of Vigo have been ordered to maintain an around-the-clock watch over a collection of empty Christmas presents, a task officers say is "humiliating".

Local police have been guarding the empty boxes for a week. Three pairs of police officers are currently working eight-hour shifts to make sure that no one disturbs the brightly covered packages. The orders to protect the boxes came directly from city mayor Abel Cabellero.



But the officers charged with the mission reportedly find the work 'humiliating and insulting'. "This is not a matter for police; officers have other things to do," a source said. One public official estimated the cost of the agents' time at €14,000 ($19,200) - "or up to one hundred times the value of the boxes they are protecting".

Vigo police are not even working alone to protect the presents. Two security guards hired by local retailers are also taking part in the campaign. "Vigo is one of the most secure cities in Europe," said Spain's Police Director: Ignacio Cosidó Gutiérrez during a recent visit to the city to open a new police station.