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The Assistant Secretary of State and Internal Administration, Isabel Oneto, said that the Government will carry out refurbishment works in several police stations of the Public Security in the Azores.

In the ceremony of the 19th anniversary of the Regional Command of the Azores of the PSP, Isabel Oneto said that among the investments that will be made, following up on several works already in progress, as well as the refurbishments of stations in the Northeast and Ribeira Grande.

After the works at São Roque do Pico, Santa Cruz and Lajes das Flores, Velas de São Jorge and in the police division of Horta, the Government will also advance works in the facilities of São Joaquim (Ponta Delgada), Angra do Heroísmo and of the Regional Command of the Azores.

Isabel Oneto pointed out that “the Azores have the lowest crime rate per thousand inhabitants of the country” and constitute “a peaceful society where public order remains”, as well as social peace.

“It is not because there is less crime that there must be fewer means or fewer resources. We must at least maintain and increase where necessary to maintain the sense of security, a fundamental factor for the social and economic development of any region, “she added.

The Secretary of State also highlighted the role of the Regional Government in the “contribution it has given to the reinforcement and support in terms of means and equipment” for the PSP, as well as of the local authorities “in the maintenance and re-furbishment of some infrastructures”.

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Coimbra’s PSP is investigating the case of an elderly woman who, on Thursday 10th May had cash and valuables stolen from her wardrobe after letting two unknown women into the house.

The 74-year-old victim, who lives in Coimbra, let two women in the room after they rang the doorbell, with the excuse that they wanted to leave a message to a neighbour who did not answer. They ask the victim to write a note.

Whilst she was sat with one of the suspects at a table writing the message, the other entered the victim’s bedroom, without her noticing, and stole a small safe with pieces of ivory and gold, several watches, and a large sum of money. It was only when the couple left the house that the elderly woman realize the items had been stolen.

The PSP advises never to allow strangers to enter the house, never trust someone just by presenting themselves convincingly and not keeping large amounts of money at home or at least not saving the entire amount in the same place.

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A passenger of a charter flight, which landed on 7th May 2018 at Madeira Airport, had a suspected heart attack and had to be rescued by firefighters, plus an EMIR team.

The request for assistance came at 5:15 pm, with an ambulance of the Municipal Firemen of Santa Cruz leaving for the runway of the airport.

The 72-year-old victim was referred to Dr. Nélio Mendonça Hospital.

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This year the primary surveillance network starts a week early and ends five weeks later – it will be active 24 hours a day from 7 May and will last until 6 November, reports the Ministry of Internal Administration (MAI).

The 72 fire stations to prevent and detect fires will start operating on Monday with 288 forest watchers, who will be active for a longer period this year, according to the Ministry of Internal Administration.

In a note sent to the Lusa agency, the Minister Eduardo Cabrita said that these 72 posts are part of the National Network of Watchtowers (primary network) and will be in operation from 7 May to 6 November, 24 hours a day. This year, lookouts start operating a week earlier and end five weeks later than in previous years, when they began on May 14 ending September 30, according to the MAI.

The 288 vigilantes who will man the National Network of Watch Stations are hired by the MAI in the scope of the prevention and combat to the rural fires. The MAI also stresses that this network will be reinforced between 30 June and 15 October, when the secondary network which comes into operation, with a total of 230 lookout posts and 920 forest watchers.

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A  member the Vila Verde Volunteer Bombeiros, Braga, was shot with a shotgun when fighting a large fire caused by an uncontrolled burning.

The incident occurred early on Friday when firefighters fought a forest fire with three active fronts, which was plowing in the town of Bemposta, in the parish of Aboim da Nóbrega, Vila Verde county, following a controlled burning which became out of control.

João Gonçalves, a 27-year-old single, residing in Portela das Cabras, Vila Verde, was hit in the right leg by shrapnel from a shotgun as he prepared to fight the fire.

He was transported to the Hospital of Braga.

“There are no words to try to justify how someone in a cowardly way decides to shoot someone … who is there to help,” said Luis Morais, commander of the Vila Verde Volunteer Firefighters, at the Hospital door of Braga. “Nobody understands this,” he said.

“Only in April – and it rained with some intensity – I have 25 occurrences in my county caused by uncontrolled fires,” added the commander of the Volunteer Firefighters of Vila Verde. “The legislation is clear: making a burn requires a license, lacks safety standards, lacks the means of self-protection and must be done in the morning,” said Luís Morais.

So far there are still no detainees due to this shotgun incident, but the Homicide Brigade of the Judicial Police of Braga is already interviewing several people from the area, and soldiers from the GNR of Vila Verde and the Detachment of Intervention of the Command of the GNR of Braga have been mobilized.

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One of Britain’s most wanted fugitives, Jamie Acourt, was captured in Barcelona on 4th May following a joint National Crime Agency, Met Police and Spanish National Police operation.

Armed officers detained Acourt after he left the Metropolitan Sagrada Familia Gym this afternoon.

The 41-year-old from south London, who was wanted by the Met Police, is believed to be involved in the large-scale supply of drugs.

He is the 81st fugitive to be located out of 96 publicised through Operation Captura – the multi-agency initiative between the NCA, Crimestoppers and the Spanish authorities.

Acourt, who was apprehended on a European Arrest Warrant, will now appear at court in Madrid early next week for an extradition hearing.

Ian Cruxton, Head of International Operations for the NCA, said:

“Acourt thought he could evade capture but as a result of an intelligence-led operation his days on the run have ended. We were able to direct the Spanish authorities to his location in Barcelona.

“Our ability to share information and work at speed with our international partners ensures there is no safe haven for fugitives. We will never stop pursuing these individuals.”

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210 thousand euros were seized in cash and 7870 pairs of shoes

The Food and Economic Security Authority (ASAE) announced on Saturday 4th May 2018  the seizure of about 210 thousand euros in cash, the largest ever, and 7870 pairs of sports shoes in the municipality of Vila do Conde.

As a result of this action aimed at combating the counterfeit trading economy – called the Sapatilha d’Ouro operation – three criminal proceedings were instituted and one individual was accused as well as the company he represented, ASAE said in a statement.

As a result of the operation, carried out by the Northern Regional Unit, three establishments were inspected.

The seized footwear was reported to two major internationally renowned brands and was being marketed directly to the public as well as to other distributors and stockists.

The total value of the seizure, taking into account the market values ​​for this type of articles, amounts to about half a million euros, according to ASAE.

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It was reported on 27th April 2018 that the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) intercepted at the Porto Airport two foreign nationals on suspicion of smuggling tobacco.

The persons, 31 and 40 years old, from a risk analysis, were identified by SEF during the documentary check made to the passengers coming from the Istanbul flight.

In close collaboration with the Tax and Customs Authority (ATA), 55,200 cigarettes of various American brands were detected in the hold baggage of these individuals, with an estimated market value of around € 13,000.

The material in question was apprehended by the ATA, and the foreign citizens were barred from entering Portugal by the SEF.

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The Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) carried out five search warrants in the city of Coimbra, following an investigation, under the coordination of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, on suspicion of the crime of aiding illegal immigration and employing  foreign citizens in an irregular situation in Portugal.

The writs, three domiciliary and the rest at restaurants, led to the seizure of documentation related to the crimes under investigation and identified fifteen individuals, twelve of them of foreign nationality.

Two foreign nationals and an associated company were accused.

Fifteen SEF operations were involved in the operation.

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On 3rd May the Territorial Command of Viseu, through the Criminal Investigation Center of Santa Comba Dão, identified a 35-year-old man for robbery, extortion and threats with firearms in the municipality of Tondela .

In the context of an investigation into the theft of vehicles, which took place since June 2017, which involved extortion, where the suspect threatened the victims in order to evict them, seven search warrants were issued, four were domiciled and three in vehicles, resulting in the seizure of  two firearms; a portable computer and a watch.

The identified, with criminal records for robbery, was constituted a defendant and subject to the residential custody and reporting to police pending trial.

The action was supported by the military Intervention Unit and the Territorial Commands of Viseu and Coimbra.