Crime in Portugal

Portuguese police walk a street in Lisbon.

Crime in Portugal is combated by the Portuguese police and other agencies.

Crime by type

Murder

In 2012, Portugal had a murder rate of 1.2 per 100,000 population.^[1] There were a total of 122 murders in Portugal in 2012.^[1]

Corruption

Transparency International’s Global Corruption Barometer 2013 reveals that political parties, Parliament, the judiciary and the military are the most corrupt institutions in Portugal.^[2]

Organized crime

After 1990 crime was a major source of discontent, with a sentiment that Portugal was becoming increasingly unsafe since Portugal became a destination for several thousand emigrants from diverse locations around the globe (in particular from Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, Brazil and the former Portuguese territories in Africa - the PALOP countries). This led to the dismissal of Internal Administration Minister Fernando Gomes (a former mayor of the city of Porto) in the early 2000s on the heels of gang violence that made headlines.^[3]

Along with the gang crime wave, which involved large groups of youths wreaking havoc on commuter train lines and robbing gasoline (petrol) stations, Portugal was also shocked by attacks on nightclubs and a rise of violent crime related with local and international organized crime which includes a number of gangs particularly active in Greater Lisbon and Greater Porto areas. In addition, with the development and modernization of the economy within the globalization process, corporate crime, financial crime, and corruption are heavily punished and increasingly important issues.^[4]

Theft

Pickpockets and purse snatchers are present in crowded popular tourist sites, restaurants, or on public transportation in the largest cities, in particular within Lisbon and Porto metropolitan areas. While thieves may operate anywhere, the largest number of reports of theft received by the authorities usually are from the heavily populated areas and major tourist destinations.^[5]

By location

Portugal's largest metropolitan areas of Lisbon and Porto are the main sources of both petty crime and violent crime.^[5]

• Greater Lisbon: Theft is widespread in tourist destinations in the Greater Lisbon area such as the towns of Sintra, Cascais, and Mafra. Casal Ventoso, a neighborhood of Lisbon where drug traffickers and drug users used to gather, was demolished in response to its increasingly unsavory reputation. Amadora the municipality where Buraca and the feared Cova da Moura neighborhood is located, a stopping point of many of the displaced people of the former Casal Ventoso, and Marvila, a parish in eastern Lisbon municipality, as well as some areas of the municipalities of Odivelas, Loures and Vila Franca de Xira around the Portuguese capital, have a higher incidence of crime. Automobile break-ins sometimes occur in parking areas at tourist attractions and near restaurants. There are reports of organized crime and gangs.
• Greater Porto: There have been reports of theft and violent crime in the area. Some places such as train stations, the Ribeira neighborhood in Porto, as well as some areas of Gondomar and Valongo municipalities have been especially problematic. There are reports of organized crime and gangs.
• Algarve: There are few reports of organized crime or gangs, however, as a major centre of international tourism and located in a corner of Europe close to the North of Africa, the region has been noted by the growing number of cases related with drug trafficking. Pickpockets and other petty criminals exist in moderate numbers. A wave of violent crime targeting wealthy foreign expatriates and tourists residing in the region, was noted since the late 2000s economic crisis, the decreasing economic opportunities for African, East European and South American immigrants and a rise in the number of unemployed Portuguese.
• Azores (archipelago): Pickpocketing and purse snatching are not common occurrences in the Azores. There are no reports of organized crime or gangs.
• Madeira (archipelago): Pickpocketing, while infrequent, may occur in some areas of Funchal.

Crime dynamics

The crime rate rose in the 1990s, bringing it to an all-time high during much of this period. It still is low compared to other developed countries and has decreased in the 2000s. Violent crime rose during the same period and reached record highs.^[6][7][8] Portugal's security and peace indicators compare very favourably to other countries. According to the 2015 Global Peace Index rankings, Portugal is the 11th most peaceful country in the world.^[9]

Victims

Victims of a crime must report to the nearest police department. The national telephone emergency number is 112, which is used in the entire European Union. The law enforcement system assists the victim to find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends and explain how further legal procedures could be used.

Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is the responsibility of local authorities which include main police forces such as the Polícia Judiciária (criminal investigation police), the Polícia de Segurança Pública (regular urban police), and the Guarda Nacional Republicana (gendarmerie), officers can help the victim to understand the criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed. Portugal has a crime victim's assistance program, administered through an organization known by its acronym, "APAV" (Associação Portuguesa de Apoio à Vítima).^[5]

Tolerance of drugs

Portugal has arguably the most liberal laws concerning possession of illicit drugs in the Western world. In 2001 Portugal decriminalized possession of effectively all drugs that are still illegal in other developed nations including, but not limited to, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and LSD. While possession is not a crime, trafficking and possession of more than "10 days worth of personal use" are still punishable by jail time and fines.

References