Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 10th April 2024
by Mike Evans
Good day to you all and the weather is starting to get much warmer. From Thursday onwards, we can expect the temperatures to be “well above average for the time of year”, with maximums between 25 and 27 degrees, reaching 30 degrees in some places on the continent, according to IPMA .
Meteorologist Mara João Frada explained that the mass of cold air that is currently on the continent will be gradually replaced by a mass of hot, tropical air.
“We will have the imposition of an easterly current that will bring tropical air circulation, affecting mainland Portugal. Above-average temperatures exceeding 10 degrees are forecast, with the exception of the Algarve,” he said.Also this week we produced some statistics on how the Algarve has fared with regards to crime in the past year. the figures for the Algarve, overall crime was 26,098 increasing by 12.7% compared to 2022 and the highest since 2010.
In the main crime categories: crimes against persons increased by 4.3% and property crime by 10.1%. A more detailed account can be found later in this report.
PSP made 13 arrests in the region over the weekend
The District Command of the PSP of Faro made a total of 13 arrests last weekend, for the crimes of drug trafficking, offences against physical integrity, crimes against public authority and aggravated injury, driving without a legal licence and driving in a state of drunkenness, in the cities of Faro , Olhão, Portimão and Lagos, was announced today.
One of the arrests occurred in the city of Lagos, following preventive patrols aimed at drug trafficking. Following the intersection, the PSP found that the suspect had in his possession “14 doses of crack and 70 doses of heroin”.
In Portimão, a woman was arrested and accused of assaulting another citizen, following an argument that began in a nightlife establishment. “Following this discussion, already on public roads, the suspect attacked the victim, using a glass bottle, causing several bruises to his face and arm”, details the PSP in a statement. The PSP also made, on the same weekend, two arrests for the crimes of aggravated insult and resistance and coercion against an employee against the police, in the cities of Olhão and Lagos, following police interventions with the suspects. In the same period, six other citizens were also arrested in the cities of Faro, Olhão, Portimão and Lagos for road crimes.
PJ investigates assault with a firearm in store robbery in Portimão
The Judiciary Police (PJ) is investigating an attack with a firearm that seriously injured a man during a robbery at a convenience store on Monday, the 8th, in Portimão, a police source revealed today.
According to the same source, the attack occurred during a robbery at a convenience store, where a Moneygram international money transfer agency operates, located on Rua D. Carlos I.According to the police source, to complete the robbery, the robber “injured the employee with a firearm”, causing him serious injuries. The victim’s life is in danger in a hospital in Lisbon. “We are taking steps to try to identify the perpetrator of the robbery and aggression, who is on the run”, he explained.
In turn, a Civil Protection source said that the store employee suffered serious neck injuries.
The man was taken to the hospital in Portimão and later transferred to one of the central hospitals in Lisbon.
Man Arrested for Murder In Portimao
On the 4th April, in the city of Portimão, the police detained a suspect for committing a crime of homicide, reported the District Command of the PSP of Faro.
Following an incident of aggression between two individuals, involving the use of a bladed weapon, the PSP was reportedly called at 8:40 pm. Upon arrival at the scene, the police found the victim prostrate on the ground and receiving assistance.
The suspect was still at the scene, and the authorities were able to gather “strong evidence that he had just committed that crime, having been arrested and the bladed weapon seized”.
The victim was transported to Portimão Hospital, where he was declared dead.
Spanish Vessel caught engaged in illegal fishing activity in the Algarve
During a maritime patrol and surveillance action south of Tavira , the Navy ship NRP Cassiopeia detected a Spanish fishing vessel carrying out illegal fishing activity using seine gear in the early hours of Wednesday. On board were more than three tons of sardines, the capture of which is prohibited until May 1, 2024, due to the species’ closed season.
Under the coordination of the captain of the port of Tavira, the offending vessel was accompanied to the port of Olhão, and the fish was seized by the Tavira Maritime Police, who took charge of the incident.
In a statement, it is highlighted that the Portuguese Navy and the National Maritime Authority “continue to combine efforts to ensure compliance with the Law and State authority at sea in spaces under national sovereignty and jurisdiction, for the benefit of the blue economy and the preservation of the marine environment , as well as for the defence of national interests”.
Navy Officer Stabbed 11 Times in Faro- 2 Arrested
Two young men are facing charges of attempted murder after stabbing a Portuguese Navy officer 11 times after he refused to serve one of them a coffee at his wife’s café in Faro.
The case dates back to March 22 when an argument broke out between the Navy officer and one of the youngsters, who was asked to leave the café.
According to a statement from the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the young man returned to the scene shortly after with his brother, the other suspect, and two unidentified people, who together viciously attacked the Navy Officer. The group reportedly started by punching the man, after which one of them stabbed the victim 11 times in several parts of the body using a pocket knife. The group fled the scene immediately afterwards.The victim was taken to the hospital in serious condition and had to undergo surgery, the statement adds.
The two suspects who have been identified have been remanded in custody, while an investigation is still underway, led by the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Faro and PJ criminal police.
Navy coordinates rescue of foreigner off the Algarve from Cruise Ship
The Portuguese Navy, through the Lisbon Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC Lisboa), coordinated, on Monday, a medical rescue of an individual of Swiss nationality, aged 83, who was on board a ship of passengers, sailing approximately 70 nautical miles (the equivalent of 130 kilometres), south of Cabo de São Vicente, towards the port of Cádiz.
The request for assistance arrived at MRCC Lisboa through the Madrid Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC MADRID), which was contacted by the ship with the indication of a passenger with a traumatic brain injury.
Immediately, as it was an urgent situation, “the EH-101 aircraft from the Portuguese Air Force was committed to rescue and transport the passenger to Faro airport, where he was subsequently transferred to a hospital unit”, details the Navy.
Algarve Crime Statistics from the General Directorate of Justice Policy
On 28th March the government published its national crime figures for 2023 showing an overall increase in reported crime of 8.2%, taking it to the highest in 10 years.
Analysing the figures for the Algarve, overall crime was 26,098 increasing by 12.7% compared to 2022 and the highest since 2010.
In the main crime categories: crimes against persons increased by 4.3% and property crime by 10.1%.
As was the case in most of the country, most specific crimes increased compared with 2022. The figures are as follows but should be considered preliminary pending the publication of the RASI report. For the Algarve specifically;
Increases
– Opportunist crime: 1189 up 10.3%
– Theft from motor vehicle: 1527 +10.9%
– Theft of Motor vehicles: 780 +41.8%
– Criminal damage: 1529 +1.6%
– Burglary by breaking into residence; 771 +4%
– Theft of non-precious metals: 227 +87% highest for 10 years
– Computer fraud and communications: 1888 +24.4%
– Assault: 1845 +10.6%
– Driving without legal documents: 1226 +56.7%
– Crimes related to drugs: 770 +57.7%
– Drink driving: 1706 +27.7%
Decreases
– Crimes that decreased compared with 2022 were:
– Domestic violence against spouse: 1365 -3.4%
– Street robbery/snatching: 160 – 11.6% lowest in 5 years
– Crimes against Pet animals: 109 -2.6%
– Pickpocketing 360 -9.7%
– Residential Robberies: 26 – 23.5% lowest over 10 years
Across the Municipalities In terms of highest they ranked:
1st Loule – 5094, 2nd Albufeira – 4180, 3rd Portimao – 2986, 4th Faro – 2883,
5th Olhao – 2062 and the Lowest: Alcoutim – 92
We will publish the full report on our website at SafeCommunitiesportugal.com when it is available.
Have a safe and enjoyable week.