The perception of being a victim of violent crime is often greater than the chances of it actually happening.
The incidence of violent crime in Portugal has been decreasing steadily in the last few years, and when in isolated cases it does occour it becomes media headlines often resulting in public concern.
The chance of becoming a victim of a violent robbery is low, but if it should occur this page gives general advice on ways to deal with intruders and ways to further reduce the risk in the first place.
This Community page deals with those issues which may affect the community generally, i.e. matters that people should be aware of either to keep on the right side of the law as well as crime prevention advice covering a number of topics.
This inevitably covers a wide area including Portugal’s drug use policy and gambling laws etc.
The page also includes articles on community policing and how we as the public can help police and thus reduce crime, reporting suspicious activities and work of the Night Guard Service etc.
Portugal is a great place to live and visit and is one of the safest places to walk around the streets with your family and children. There are few if any gangs and incidence of threatening and anti social behaviour and street violence are rare.
As in any other place however, wearing a large gold necklace or walking around with an open handbag does increase the risk of theft and snatching mainly committed by opportunists or pickpockets in crowded places.
The articles on this page serve as a reminder to take simple measures in order to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of crime.