Year: 2014

On 9th May at 0320 hrs the Military Intervention Detachment of the National Guard Faro arrested a 38 years person for the crime of robbery.

During an anti-crime patrol in Albufeira a report was received from the owner of a restaurant located in one of the busiest arteries of the city stating that someone had broken into the restaurant.

When the GNR intervention unit arrived they found broken glass to the exterior door of the restaurant and discovered the suspect still inside.

The detainee was apprehended in the kitchen of the restaurant. It was discovered that extensive damage had been caused to the inside the property, including a computer and the cash register.

A search of the suspect was carried out and € 565 in notes and coins from the cash register was found and seized.

The person was arrested and will appear in court.

Dealing with forest fires involves a number of agencies which is coordinated by the ANPC Civil Protection agency. Other agencies such as the GNR also have vital roles to play with specialist units such as SEPNA that deal with environment protection issues and GIPS who deal with emergency situations such as fighting fires, other natural disasters and the evacuation and rescuing of victims. SEPNA has a wide range of responsibilities dealing, for instance, with cruelty to animals. 

In order that residents are more aware of the work of these agencies Safe Communities Algarve is holding, together with the GNR, a number of displays and seminars where people can speak to those involved and view some of the emergency equipment. The ANPC have also agreed to participate.

These displays/seminars are focused at those living in rural areas and will be in English. Captain Santos Commander of GNR Faro will be present together with GNR specialist units and their Safe Residence Programme team. Details are the events are as follows:

• Tuesday 20th May 2014 from 1700 to 1900 hrs at the Freguesia de Santa Bárbara de Nexe, located at Rua Da Junta de Freguesia 8, Santa Bárbara de Nexe

• Thursday 22nd May 2014 from 1700 to 1900 at the Museu Do Trajo de Algarve, Rua Dr Jose Dias Sancho 61, Sao Bras de Alportel

• Friday 30th May 2014 1600 to 1800 – Monchique (details to be confirmed)

I would advise everyone to attend these seminars and displays as it will be an excellent opportunity to speak directly to those involved in civil protection planning and dealing with natural disasters including fires – which could affect your property.

If you wish to attend please contact info@safecommunitiesalgarve.com

On the morning of 8th May 2014 a GNR patrol in Albufeira arrested a 42 year old Portuguese citizen aged 42 years for pickpocketing .

The patrol noticed the culprit using a distraction technique stealing the wallet of the victim. The patrol then followed the culprit along the Avenida dos  Descobrimentos  before arresting him a few seconds later.

The victim was a British tourist and the stolen items were returned to him.

The culprit has a history for theft and is to appear at the Judicial District Court of Albufeira.

On 2nd May 2014 a dispute arose between customers at the Casa de Pasto a Moagram restaurant on the EN125 in Alcantarilha, which resulted in a 30 year old man being stabbed twicce in the back with a ktchen knife. The owner of the restaurant a lady aged 60 years was also injured when she tried to intervene.

The victim is believed to be an off duty security guard at a night club in Albufeira. The victims were taken to hospital and the Judicial Police have opened an investigation for Attempted Murder. Customers were questioned and two persons aged about 20 years subject to formal interrogation by the Judicial Police.

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On 2nd May 2014 SEF arrested a foreigner aged 32 years accompanied with her daughter, who was about to board a plane en-route to Toronto, Canada.

The arrested person was using a false passport and was an illegal immigrant in Portugal.

The arrested person appeared before the Tribunal Judicial in Faro, was fined and is being deported.

On 2nd May 2014 following an investigation GNR Olhao arrested a man aged 21 years wanted in connection with burglaries in a number of houses.

During the GNR operation two houses were searched and a number of stolen items including a computer, watches and Hi Fi equipment were recovered. The items were believed stolen from houses in the Rio Formosa area close to Olhao.

 

Today 3rd May 2014 marks the 103 rd Anniversary of the founding of the GNR.

The GNR have commemorated this by opening their barracks Carmo (Lisbon) to the public.  So far 16,869 people have visited. The barracks and exhibitions are open until 11th May from 100 to 18000 hrs each day.

Besides the exhibition, you can still visit the Museum of GNR, watch historical recreations (medieval characters and fights) etc. For the amusement of the children the GNR will show their dogs and horses, and even our mascots: the “Guardoo”; the “Guardoo” and “Guard Nature.” We await you!

In Loule on 3rd May 2014 the GNR will hold a display of their various work and responsibilities by the Municipal Council Building from 1000 to 1300 hrs.

 

The crime prevention displays held by Safe Communities Algarve, the GNR and PSP police during the Easter period proved popular with over 400 people visiting the stands at Praia da Luz, Praia da Rocha and Algarve Shopping Guia.

As part of the displays tourists were asked to rate how “safe” or “unsafe” did they consider the Algarve as a tourist destination, as well as the level of safety when going out at night. Of the 250 people from 16 different countries surveyed, 89.2 % rated the Algarve as “very safe”, 10% as “safe” and only 0.8% as “not safe”. As far as going out at night time were concerned 80% considered it “very safe”, 18.4 % as “safe” and 1.6%” as “not safe”.

Many of the tourists spoken to stated that they considered the Algarve was much safer than their own countries with many examples given. Some expressed concern that any disturbance late at night they encountered on holiday here was from fellow tourists mainly young people who were drunk.

Another interesting trend was that all the Portuguese tourists who participated in the survey opined that the area was much safer than Lisbon and Porto (where they were living), an observation borne out by recent crime statistics.

The displays also gave visitors an opportunity to learn more about the work of the PSP police and the GNR Safe Residence Programme. The GIPS display at Algarve Shopping proved popular with youngsters in particular, with the opportunity to dress up in GIPS uniform and sit in their “emergency” vehicle.

David Thomas President of SCA commented: “I am not surprised by the results of the survey. A number of visitors who have been coming on holiday here for many years noted that they felt more secure than they did a number of years ago, a perception that is reflected in actual recorded crime which is at a 12 year low”.  Of course there are a few crimes that will make media headlines but these have to be seen in the broader context”

“One area where more emphasis is required is to reduce the level of disturbance caused by some tourists who become so drunk that they pose a risk to themselves, annoyance to other holiday makers and unnecessary extra work for the police. More education is required in respect of this in the lead up to the summer holiday period”.

The Judicial Police South Division reported on 29th April 2014 that they had arrested a 57 year man for sexual abuse.

The facts are that at the beginning of 2014, in a locality of Baixo Alentejo, the offense took place with the victim, a girl, now aged 14 years.

The detainee has appeared at the first judicial interrogation, taking appropriate measures including prohibition to travel to the area where the offense took place and contact with the families concerned.

 

The European Police Futsal (5 a side football) tournament organized by the GNR/APG  Associacao dos Profissionais da Guarda will be held at Pavilihao Municipal de Loule from 1st to 3rd May 2014. This is located close to the roundabout on the Loule byepass at the junction with the N396 to Querenca.

The event is sponsored by Turismo do Algarve and the Council of Loule and brings together 12 teams from Portugal and France in what will sure to be an exciting tournament.

This will coincide on 3rd May with the 103 rd Anniversary of the GNR display/parade which will be held in Loule outside the Municipal office.  The display will take place from 0900 to 1300 hrs, followed by the tournament semi- finals, 3rd and 4th place playoffs and the finals at 1900 hrs.

Entry to the matches is free to the public.

Al details of the events which are open to the public can be found at

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