The Algarve Situation Report Thursday 19th September 2024
by Mike Evans
Good day to you all. With the main news in the past week being the horrendous fires which have been taking place mainly in the North of the country and the tragic loss of life that has happened as a result of these fires, our main Facebook pages have been keeping people updated on the situation across the country. With a change in the weather outlook we can but hope that the change helps extinguish these fires. Rain is forecasted for all areas of the country especially in the North where the fires have raged all week. The Algarve can also expect some rain which while we do not have the same issues with the fires it will help the region with the water situation which again is at a critical level. The official forecast for the south is- Rain is forecast on Saturday with a chance of prolonged sunny periods and temperatures peaking at 22 degrees. On Sunday it is to be mainly dry with a slight chance of rain and highs of 24 degrees and lows of 15 degrees. From Monday it is to be mainly dry and mild with average highs of 25 degrees.
Now a look at some of the stories from around the region this week.
Four arrested for Algarve luxury watch thefts
Following a three month operation in the area of Loule, police have arrested foir people in connection with a luxury watch theft spree. On 13 September, the Faro Territorial Command, through the Loulé Criminal Investigation Unit (NIC), arrested four men, aged between 24 and 34, for theft in the municipality of Loulé.
As part of several violent thefts of valuable watches by an organised group, the Guard’s military personnel carried out an investigation that lasted around three months. During the investigation, it was possible to determine that the suspects frequently entered and left the country, without following routines, opting for discreet accommodation and rented vehicles in different locations. Following the police investigations, the GNR managed to detect the suspects in a tourist area with luxury goods stores, as they were preparing to carry out a robbery, and were immediately approached and arrested by the criminal investigation and Intervention Detachment military personnel, who were monitoring the action from a distance. Following the operation, it was possible to associate the suspects with several robberies.
Police Operation Makes 69 Arrests during one week.
The Faro Territorial Command of the National Republican Guard reports that, in the week of September 9 to 15, 69 people were arrested, during a series of operations aimed at preventing and combating violent crime. Among those arrested, 17 were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, 14 for driving without a legal license and 12 for drug trafficking.
In terms of accidents, the GNR recorded 107 accidents, resulting in one death and 22 minor injuries; and 1,148 infractions, the majority for speeding, 59 for failure to undergo mandatory periodic inspection, 39 for failure to wear or incorrect use of seat belts and/or child restraint systems, 23 for lack of civil liability insurance, 20 for improper use of mobile phones while driving, and 9 related to faults in the lighting and signalling systems. The GNR also seized 545 doses of cocaine, 299 doses of heroin, 254 doses of hashish and 4 mobile phones during the period indicated.
ASAE Seize Counterfeit Goods from Stores in Algarve
The Food and Economic Safety Authority (ASAE) seized 1,640 counterfeit items as part of an inspection operation in retail establishments in Albufeira and Quarteira, in the district of Faro. The inspection carried out by the Southern Regional Unit – Faro Operational Unit of ASAE “was directed at establishments suspected of selling counterfeit goods”, the note reads.
Counterfeiting, it is highlighted, constitutes a crime preceding money laundering and is “frequently associated with tax, labour and environmental offences, with a significant impact in these areas”.
The Food and Economic Safety Authority states that it will continue to monitor the phenomenon, promoting the protection of the industrial property of the owners of the offended brands and ensuring consumer protection. In the operation to combat counterfeiting, imitation and illegal use of brands, clothing, leather goods, belts, caps, hats, sneakers and costume jewellery from renowned brands were seized, ASAE said in a statement.
In total, the counterfeit items have an estimated value of 11,600 euros. The economic oversight body added that three criminal proceedings were also instituted for the sale or concealment of counterfeit products and imitation or illegal use of brands.
A Prisoner died inside the GNR cell in Albufeira
In the early hours of the 11th September, a 29-year-old citizen, who was being held at the GNR Territorial Sub-Detachment in Albufeira , was found dead inside his cell, having used his own T-shirt to end his life, the National Republican Guard clarified in a press release.
Emergency services were called immediately, however death was declared at the scene.
The National Guard also clarifies that the individual had been detained since the previous night, following attacks on his partner, aged 29, using a knife (blade weapon).The circumstances of the death inside the cell are being investigated, and the Guard is ensuring the necessary coordination with other entities, namely the Judicial Police, the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the General Inspectorate of Internal Administration (IGAI).
And to end this report we bring you a news item we hope many will want to contribute to.
Campaign to raise funds started for Emergency Ambulance in Albufeira
A fundraising campaign is currently underway in Albufeira , with the aim of raising approximately 77 thousand euros to purchase an ambulance from the Albufeira Volunteer Firefighters.
“The initiative is essential to ensure that our firefighters continue to have the necessary resources to provide a quality service and ensure our safety,” the statement highlights.
“As Albufeira evolved, in terms of population and tourism, the demand for the Fire Department also grew exponentially, in terms of the diversity of services, quantity and quality of these, with tourism having had a major impact on this growth”.Of all the activity carried out by the Albufeira Fire Department, more than 80% corresponds to health services, and so far, according to them, they have responded to around 3,349 medical emergency services.
Donations made to the Firefighters benefit from tax deductions and can be deducted from IRS without having to wait for the year’s accounts to close.
Those interested in contributing can use IBAN PT50 0045 7012 40150367389 18. For more information, contact 289 588 101 or use the address bvalbufeira@bv-albufeira.pt .
Until the next time Stay Safe