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Situation Reports news and reviews

 

Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 22nd January 2025

Good morning.  We start the day with the tragic news that a couple and their two young children died in the house where they lived, in Vilar Formoso, in the municipality of Almeida, allegedly due to carbon monoxide inhalation. Although the cause of death has not been confirmed – we remind people once again on the care that needs to be taken when using heating equipment which can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Remember that many domestic accidents are due to the effect of carbon monoxide, a toxic gas, which is odourless and colourless. Most of such accident are at night time.

Remember before you go to bed or leave the house, check if you have turned off the heating equipment and ensure the room ventilated. Ensure that your heater is in good working order and for wood burning fires and heaters ensure the seals are checked periodically. If someone has symptoms of poisoning, contact the Poison Information Centre: 800 250 250 in an emergency – In serious cases contact 112.

We welcome the news that Albufeira (at long last) has a video monitoring system, which is operated by GNR and went into operation on December 30th, in time for the busy New Year’s Eve.  Installed in Baixa de Albufeira, on Avenida Sá Carneiro, and also in the Descobrimentos, Inatel, Três Palmeiras and Globo roundabouts, this ensures coverage of areas of the city with higher concentration of people, namely in the bar streets of Albufeira and Oura, as well as the main entrances.

Over the last few days we have experienced some heavy rain in the Azores, Madeira and the mainland resulting from Depression Garoe. The main areas affected were (as forecast) the Algarve and parts of the centre of the mainland. Orange level rain warnings were issued by the IPMA for the Algarve and Beja and SMS text messages were sent to residents and visitors to seven districts. The sending of SMS text messages is usually when the warnings are at red (maximum) level, but by issuing them earlier, this gives more advanced warning should it be decided to increase the warnings from orange to red.

 In addition the ANEPC issued a bulleting with the likely effects from the storm and preventive measure to be taken. Our association shared this advice to those who follow our Facebook Groups and main page. We remind everyone to study and follow this advice which is for everyone’s safety.

This is certainly not the last of the storms/depressions with the news that the latest storm has been named Éowyn by Met Office. It is forecast to bring strong winds to much of the UK on Friday and into Saturday. For Mainland Portugal, an associated front of strong activity is expected on Friday night and Saturday morning, affecting especially the north and central coast. We’ll update as more accurate forecasts will be published.

In Madeira in response to forecasts of worsening sea conditions, that pose the greatest risk on the coast of the Municipality of Santa Cruz, the situation was monitored by the municipality’s Firefighters in conjunction with SANAS (Madeiran Association for Safety at Sea). The measure, which has been implemented for some time, whenever adverse weather conditions occur, seeks to prevent risky behaviour on the part of people who choose to approach the coastline to view the waves, often putting their own lives at risk to take photographs (selfies). Of course this should not be necessary but unfortunately those who do not follow the advice, putting not only their lives at risk, but also those of rescuers.

Our team at Safe Communities wish you all a nice week ahead

News

More than 950 violations involving mobile phone use while driving detected in national campaign

Authorities recorded more than 950 mobile phone offences while driving in the road safety campaign “When driving, your mobile phone can wait”, which ended on Monday, it was announced today.

In a statement, the National Road Safety Authority (ANSR) explains that this campaign, coordinated with the National Republican Guard (GNR) and the Public Security Police (PSP), took place between the 14th and 20th of January and aimed to alert drivers to the consequences of improper use of mobile phones while driving.

Authorities inspected more than 70,000 vehicles in person.

As part of the 2025 National Inspection Plan (PNF), the campaign involved the participation of the regional administration services of the Azores and Madeira and included awareness-raising actions by the ANSR, simultaneously with inspection operations by the GNR and PSP, in Batalha, Braga (two), Leiria and Seixal.

In total, security forces recorded 2,560 accidents, with nine fatalities, 34 serious injuries and 715 minor injuries.

Compared to the same period last year, there were 198 fewer accidents, three more fatalities, nine fewer serious injuries and 23 fewer minor injuries

In total, between in person and by radar, a total of 4.9 million vehicles were inspected during the campaign and 28 thousand infractions were detected.

During the campaign, 446 drivers and passengers were made aware and received messages about the consequences of using a mobile phone while driving, particularly the fact that drivers who use a mobile phone while driving are slower to recognise and react to dangers.

The authorities also warned drivers that using electronic devices while driving can make it difficult to interpret signs and lead to a lack of respect for the rules on giving way, particularly in relation to pedestrians.

Well-protected homes can be safe places against forest fires

Well-protected and maintained homes, with interventions at the building level and on adjacent land, can be safe places for the population in the face of forest fires, concluded a project led by researchers from the University of Coimbra (UC).

Speaking to Lusa, Miguel Almeida, lead researcher on the House Refuge project, said that traditional homes, when well designed and maintained, can serve as safe places in the event of a fire, as long as they are surrounded by adequate fuel management areas.

The researcher at the Forest Fire Studies Centre at ADAI (Association for the Development of Industrial Aerodynamics), created more than 30 years ago in the Mechanical Engineering department at UC, noted, in this context, that one of the components of the project involved studying the management of fuels in the surroundings of buildings.

“What the legislation requires is that there be [around homes] a fuel management strip. It is not a strip without fuel or a strip with fuel cuts”, noted Miguel Almeida.

The researcher explained that these areas must therefore have plant species – complying with the rules that provide for a distance of five metres between each treetop, which doubles to ten metres in the case of pine or eucalyptus trees – so that the houses are not in open fields facing a surrounding forest area, which, if it were to happen, would be harmful, as it would increase the risk of them being hit by fires, due to the projection of sparks.

He recalled, in this regard, that, in the 2017 fires, a study carried out by ADAI found that around 61% of the homes affected were not affected because the flames had reached these homes, but rather by the projections of incandescent particles, which ended up destroying buildings that were unprepared to withstand fires, often entering through the roofs.

 

The Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 22nd January 2025

by Mike Evans

A very good day to you from the Algarve where the winter rains are happening and we hope the reservoirs are filling up. THis follows the announcement that December in our region was the driest month on record, with Portugal experiencing rainfall that was “just 12% of the average value” recorded in the period between 1981 and 2010, revealed a source from the Portuguese Environment Agency ( APA ).

In the Algarve, one of the regions of the country where the effects of the drought have been most felt and where restrictions on water consumption have already been applied, the six main reservoirs “accumulate 151 cubic hectometres of stored water, corresponding to 34% of the total capacity”, a figure that, even so, reflects an “increase of 39 cubic hectometres compared to the same period last year”.

“Despite this increase, the windward [west] and the Arade basin remain in extreme hydrological drought,” warned the APA source, clarifying that the leeward is “in severe hydrological drought.”

With an additional 39 cubic hectometres stored in dams in December, compared to the same month in 2023, the Algarve is in a “better” situation and has “water reserves for a year of urban consumption”, in the event that no more rain is recorded by then, assured the APA source. With more rain forecasted we hopefully will be in a better position compared to last year when the summer arrives.

Now a look at some of the stories from around the region in the past couple of weeks.

Albufeira Inaugurates New Video Cameras in some Areas

Albufeira inaugurated this Monday, January 20, a video surveillance system with 65 cameras, installed in places with the highest influx of people and traffic, and which will be operated by the National Republican Guard ( GNR ).

“This is a system that will monitor areas with the highest traffic flow and concentration of people, namely the so-called bar street, in order to dissuade and combat crime,” the mayor of Albufeira, José Carlos Rolo , told journalists .

According to José Carlos Rolo, the video surveillance, which came into operation on December 30, 2024, “aims to help security authorities in preventing and fighting crime”, in a city that has been identified as having one of the highest crime rates ‘per capita’ in the country.

The mayor assured, however, that Albufeira “is a safe municipality” and contested the analysis of the figures made by the National Statistics Institute (INE), “by presenting true figures, in global terms, but which should not be calculated by the 44 thousand inhabitants of the municipality”. “Albufeira, being one of the largest tourist municipalities in the country, has around 500,000 people during the summer and these people do not appear in the statistics”, he lamented.

Although refuting “the idea that the municipality is unsafe as has been reported”, the mayor considered that video surveillance “will give a greater perception of security to residents and tourists”.

The cameras are installed in areas previously selected jointly by the GNR and the local authority, considered strategic locations and “of greatest concern”, allowing real-time monitoring of nightlife areas, the historic center and access to the city.

“These are areas with a history of problems and that deserve greater attention”, said the commander of the GNR detachment in Albufeira, Marco Henriques.

According to Marco Henriques, the system “is not intended to replace the guards”, but is “a very important tool to support and complement the prevention and investigation work of the various criminal police bodies”.

Video surveillance represented an investment of around 900 thousand euros, and is a system equipped with modern technology, which includes analytical and research tools, definition of alerts and capture of images in all directions, with great range and resolution.

“The entire operation is guaranteed by the GNR and only a few soldiers with specific training will have access to the system installed in two viewing rooms, one in Albufeira and the other at the Territorial Command in Faro”, he highlighted. Marco Henriques also said that crime in Albufeira “has been decreasing over time, “despite some statistics being based solely on the number of inhabitants, which distorts the data”.

“We believe that with new technology we can do more in preventing and investigating crimes and with greater reliability,” he stressed. The commander of the GNR detachment in Albufeira also added that, “in a second phase, the monitoring area may be extended to other areas of the municipality”.

Loulé Man Accused of Sexually Abusing his Partner’s Niece

A 46-year-old man has been charged with multiple crimes of sexual abuse of a child and a dependent minor by the Public Prosecutor of the Department of Investigation and Criminal Action of Loulé, it has been announced.

The Regional Attorney General’s Office of Évora announced this Monday, in a statement, that the indictment in this case was made on January 12, with the facts having occurred between 2019 and 2021 in a residence located in the municipality of Loulé.

According to the prosecution, the defendant had sexual relations with a minor, who was 13 years old at the time the incident began and who was his partner’s niece.

“Every Saturday the victim slept on a sofa in the living room, at which time the defendant, taking advantage of his partner’s sleep, carried out his libidinous designs”, reports the note from the Regional Attorney General’s Office of Évora.

The investigation began with the participation of the Child and Youth Protection Commission and was led by the Judicial Police, he concludes.

Body of Woman Recovered From Vila do Bispo Cliffs 

The body of the 34-year-old woman, of Ukrainian nationality, who fell from a cliff late Saturday afternoon (18th), next to the Torre de Aspa, in the municipality of Vila do Bispo, was rescued on Sunday afternoon (19th), the National Maritime Authority (AMN) announced. Following the rescue operations, coordinated by the Port Captain and local commander of the Lagos Maritime Police , elements of the Lagos Maritime Police Local Command were involved, as well as the wide-angle team of the Vila do Bispo Volunteer Firefighters and an aircraft from the Portuguese Air Force (FAP), supported by a Civil Protection drone, according to a press release from AMN.

After several attempts by air, using the FAP aircraft, members of the firefighters’ wide-angle team proceeded to rescue the victim.

“The Health delegate declared the death at the scene and, after contacting the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the body was transported by firefighters to the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences in Portimão”, he details.

The Maritime Police and INEM Psychology Offices were activated and are providing support to the victim’s family. The local command of the Lagos Maritime Police took charge of the incident.

Counterfeit Goods Seized in 2 Raids by GNR in Monte Gordo and Fuseta

The GNR seized around 100 articles and identified two men on suspicion of counterfeiting, on Sunday (12th), in Monte Gordo, in the municipality of Vila Real de Santo António, announced that security force. Among the items seized were clothing , toys and backpacks, which were on display for sale in a commercial establishment in the seaside resort of the eastern Algarve, the GNR said in a statement.

The men identified were 43 and 48 years old and the facts were reported to the Vila Real de Santo António Judicial Court, concluded the security force. In another raid in Fuseta,  the GNR has named a man as a defendant for counterfeiting and seized counterfeit material during an inspection carried out in the town of Fuseta, in the municipality of Olhão, the police force announced.

According to the GNR, a 35-year-old man was charged with counterfeiting and counterfeit material was seized, clarifying that the inspection in question aimed to combat counterfeiting, the illegal use of brands and the sale of counterfeit items. Among the seized material, detected on a stall where various products were displayed for sale, articles of “well-known brands, which showed signs of counterfeiting” were found, explained the GNR, quantifying “100 counterfeit articles, namely, clothing and sports footwear”.

The GNR also stated that the man was named as a defendant and the facts were reported to the Olhão Judicial Court.

Maritime Police seize 360 ​​kilos of drugs on the Algarve coast

On the 10th, the Portimão Maritime Police seized 360 kilos of hashish on the Algarve coast, after detecting the narcotic product at sea, the National Maritime Authority ( AMN ) announced. “A total of 360 kg of hashish were seized by members of the Local Command of the Portimão Maritime Police, who took charge of the incident, and were later handed over to the Judicial Police (PJ),” explained that police force in a statement.

The Local Command of the Portimão Maritime Police detected the narcotic product following daily surveillance and patrol actions along the coastline, in its area of ​​jurisdiction, AMN also detailed.

On the 9th, the AMN had announced the seizure, throughout the week, in the areas under the jurisdiction of the local commands of Faro and Portimão, of 201 kilos of hashish, on the sand of the beaches and in the sea.

In another statement released, AMN said that the local command of the Lagos Maritime Police intercepted and seized on Thursday a High Speed ​​Vessel (EAV) that was adrift approximately 5.5 nautical miles (approximately 10.2 kilometers) southwest of Ponta da Piedade, in the municipality of Lagos .

The alert was given by a fisherman, regarding a drifting vessel. At the scene, the “Maritime Police officers found that there were no crew members on board nor any narcotics”, and the Maritime Police “accompanied the EAV to a location on land”.

Finally! New Bridge is Inaugurated after 17 Years of Waiting!

Seventeen years after it was first announced, the new two-lane bridge to Faro Island was finally inaugurated on Sunday (January 12).

Marking a new era for the local island community, the bridge’s inauguration was attended by Minister of Environment and Energy, Maria da Graça Carvalho, who presided over the ribbon-cutting ceremony alongside outgoing Faro mayor Rogério Bacalhau.

The new bridge is seen as a vital upgrade for Faro Island (known in Portuguese as Praia de Faro or Ilha de Faro), previously served by a single one-lane bridge which would often bring traffic in and out of the island to a standstill – particularly during the summer.

“Today is a very happy day,” declared Rogério Bacalhau at the ceremony, celebrating the end of a nearly two-decade project which suffered countless setbacks over the years. “This is an emblematic project for our municipality,” he said, adding that the local community, particularly the people of Faro Island, had been patiently waiting for its completion for a long time.

The project’s journey began in 2008 under the auspices of Sociedade Polis Ria Formosa, aiming to replace the aging bridge, which was originally built seven decades ago.

However, the project hit a major roadblock when the first two tender processes to award the construction contract failed. In 2017, the initial tender, with a base value of less than €3 million, did not attract any bidders. Success only came with the third tender, but by then, the cost had significantly increased. Initially set at around €5 million, the contract’s value rose to €6.5 million after an early revision. Subsequent adjustments to meet environmental requirements and adapt the structure further escalated the cost to over €8 million. These revisions addressed the complex environmental conditions of the Ria Formosa estuary and ensured compliance with safety and sustainability standards, the mayor explained.

The project’s management also shifted following the dissolution of Sociedade Polis Ria Formosa, which saw the responsibility for the bridge’s completion transferred to the municipal council of Faro.

The final cost of the bridge was highlighted by Rogério Bacalhau, who described it as a “particularly impressive sum,” especially considering the council’s delicate financial situation up until a few years ago. “This was a very complex project, surely the most complex carried out this century in the Algarve,” the mayor said, stressing how it was built in the protected estuary of Ria Formosa, which he said is “surely one of, if not the biggest treasure we have in our territory.”

The new bridge, spanning 180 meters and nearly 11 metres wide, features two lanes for vehicular traffic, a pedestrian path, and a combined pedestrian-cyclist lane. While it will significantly improve the flow of traffic in and out of the island, the new bridge will also allow heavy emergency vehicles to access the island, which was previously impossible as heavy vehicles weren’t allowed on the old bridge. The new pedestrian-cyclist lane will also make access to the island “much safer” for the “growing number of people who choose to visit the island on foot or on a bicycle”, Bacalhau stated.

Despite some unfinished details, like the installation of LED lighting that is still underway, the new bridge opened immediately to traffic after the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Until the next time Stay Safe

 

Azores Situation Report Wednesday 15th January 2025

Cancer mortality rate rises in the Azores in contrast to the country as a whole

The Autonomous Region of the Azores not only has the highest cancer mortality rate in the country, but it has also been growing since 2020, in contrast to what is happening on the mainland and in Madeira.

This is one of the conclusions set out in the audit entitled “Regional Strategy for the Prevention and Combat of Oncological Diseases” that the Azores Regional Section of the Court of Auditors (SRATdC) published last week.

The SRATdC document revealed that the Azores, “considering all ages and both sexes”, have the highest cancer mortality rate in the country, both crude (281.9 per 100,000 people) and standardized (192.6 per thousand people), despite having the youngest population, but, at the same time, the one that “has the lowest average life expectancy at birth”.

And the comparison, made by the auditor, covers the period between 2017 and 2023, not counting the last year, which in the Region was marked by the HDES fire and consequent shockwaves for the health of the Azoreans, with a reduction in all hospital activity, especially regarding complementary diagnostic and therapeutic means.

As for new cases, the characterization that is made reveals that, between 2017 and 2023, the most affected age group was those aged 60 to 74, with 41%, followed by people over 75 (27%), and the age group between 45 and 60 (18.3%).

In other words, 86.3% of new cases diagnosed in this period occurred in people aged 45 or over.

However, comparing with the figures for Madeira and mainland Portugal, the number of cancer cases recorded in people aged 45 or over was 93%, 6.7 percentage points more than in the Azores.

In other words, “in the Azores, cancer affects younger groups of the population, a matter that could be the subject of analysis within the scope of the study on the causes of cancer in the Azores, currently underway”, states the audit.

A study commissioned in December 2018, and which had a 3-month deadline, but which is still not completed in 2025, a delay caused by the Covid-19 pandemic (which only began in March 2020, that is, one year and three months after the study was awarded to the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Coimbra). According to the entity responsible for the study, it was resumed in 2022 but is not yet completed.

The audit also reveals that the age group with the highest incidence of cancer is between 60 and 74 years old, both in men (805 cases, corresponding to 45.8% of the total) and women (608 cases, 36%).

However, up to the age of 59, women always have higher incidence rates than men (except in the 15-29 age group), in some cases twice as high, such as in the 30-44 age group, with 248 cases, compared to 117 cases in men. From the age of 60 onwards, there is a notable prevalence of tumours in men, almost always around twice as high.

By sex, the most common cancer in women was breast cancer (448 cases, 26.5% of the total), followed by thyroid cancer (108 cases) and uterine body cancer (86). These three types of tumours account for 38% of new cases of cancer diagnosed.

In men, prostate cancer is the most prevalent, with 279 cases (15.9%), followed by cancer of the trachea, bronchi and lungs, with 185 cases (10.5% of the total) and cancer of the colon and rectum, with 135 cases (7.7% of the total). These three types of cancer account for more than a third of new cases.

Earthquake measuring 2.4 on the Richter scale felt in São Miguel

An earthquake measuring 2.4 on the Richter scale was felt this morning in the parish of Furnas, on the island of São Miguel

According to the Azores Seismo-volcaeic Surveillance and Information Centre (CIVISA), the earthquake was recorded at 1:18 am and had its epicentre approximately 3 km west of Furnas.

According to information available from CIVISA, the earthquake was felt with maximum intensity IV (Modified Mercalli Scale) in Furnas (municipality of Povoação), Ponta Garça and Ribeira das Tainhas (municipality of Vila Franca do Campo).

The event was also felt with intensity III in Ribeira Quente (Popoação municipality).

Azores break record for number of passengers disembarking at airports for the third consecutive year

The Azores broke the record for passengers disembarking at airports in 2024, with around 2.3 million passengers, 8.3% more than in 2023, according to data released by the Regional Statistics Service (SREA)

During 2024, 177,115 more passengers disembarked than in the previous year, an annual variation of 8.3%.

In total, 2,316,543 people disembarked at the archipelago’s nine airports between January and December 2024.

In 2022 and 2023, the region had already reached record numbers of air transport passengers, with 1.8 and 2.1 million arrivals, respectively.

 

Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 15th January 2025

Good morning everyone. We start with the tragic wildfires in Los Angeles which have killed 25 people so far, burned more than 14,000 acres, destroyed at least 12,000 structures and forced the evacuation of more than 180,000 people.The worst fires the city has experienced. There are a number of factors that have facilitated the spread of the fires, such as the dry vegetation and the lack of rains, but in particular the winds with speeds up to 120 km/h.

Some may well ask what this has to do with Portugal. The fact is however, that Portugal has also been affected by wildfires with these factors, but nowhere to the same degree as in the Los Angeles fires. However what we see in the Los Angeles fires should be learning points for the future for many high risk fire countries, resulting from the effects of climate change and extreme weather conditions.

The fires in Los Angeles are burning with great intensity and as such they are very difficult to suppress by conventional firefighting means including the use of large tanker aircraft dropping many thousands of litres of fire retardant. In the end however, as we have seen in Portugal such as in the fires in October 2017, it will take a change of weather (namely a decrease in wind speed) that will allow firefighters to extinguish the fires.

Canada and Mexico have helped by sending firefighters to Los Angeles to assist and Portugal has, according to the Prime Minister, offered similar assistance, although there is no news of any response to this.

However, what is not helpful in times of crisis is the criticism by the President elect of California’s handling of the wildfires roaring around Los Angeles, as the state’s governor urged him to come to witness the damage in person. “The fires are still raging in L.A. The incompetent pols (politicians) have no idea how to put them out,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform. “This is one of the worst catastrophes in the history of our Country. They just can’t put out the fires. What’s wrong with them?” he wrote. The answer, however has nothing to with incompetence, it is simply that the fires cannot be put out because of the factors concerning intensity outlined above!

Turning to Facebook algorithms and notifications on feed. The Facebook algorithm does not always notify about our (SCP) posts to everyone at the same time. Sometimes you receive notifications in your feed days or weeks later. It is very important to always validate the date of the SCP post looking at the date/hour below the page name. If it’s from the same day, it will be there how many hours ago it was shared… if it’s from longer, it will say how old the post is! To help you a suggestion is to check/update your notifications settings for our page.

The PSP have recently issued a reminder of the “I AM HERE!” program for Adults which is aimed at people who, depending on age or pathology, may become disoriented or unconscious, even momentarily, on the public road.

 The ESTOU AQUI ADULTOS bracelet consists of a matte fabric ribbon and a metal plate with an alphanumeric code and the inscription “Call/Ligue 112”, as can be seen in the image. The bracelet is free, personal and non-transferable. To obtain a bracelet, you need to register in advance and then go to the chosen police station to collect and validate it. More information and place your order here: https://estouaquiadultos.mai.gov.pt/Pages/Home.htm?

Our team at Safe Communities wishes you all the best for the week ahead.

News

PSP raises awareness in schools about discrimination and hate crimes

One of the objectives of the operation is to alert young people that discriminatory acts often take the form of misdemeanours and, at times, reach the level of crime.

The PSP is carrying out awareness-raising actions in 2nd and 3rd cycle primary schools and secondary schools to prevent discrimination and hate crimes and to instil respect for differences.

The ‘Yes to Difference’ operation began this Monday and is part of the Safe School Program, an integrated model of community policing, until January 24 throughout the national territory, the Public Security Police (PSP) reports in a statement.

One of the objectives of the operation is to alert young people that discriminatory acts based on racial and ethnic origin, skin colour, nationality, ancestry and territory of origin or gender identity often take the form of administrative offenses and, sometimes, reach the level of crime.

The PSP calls for reports of situations of discrimination in schools or any other environment, and is also available, through the teams of the Escola Segura (EPES) program, to respond to any requests for intervention to be carried out in person or through the channel escolasegura@psp.pt.

The ‘Yes to Difference’ operation, carried out by EPES, has as its main objective the prevention of all forms of discrimination and the practice of hate crimes, instilling in the children and young people targeted by the actions respect for differences and Human Rights.

Through the EPES of the various commands, the PSP guarantees its security mission of preventing crime and delinquency, specifically aimed at preventing all forms of discrimination and the practice of hate crimes, it explains in the statement.

The National Strategy for Equality and Non-Discrimination 2018/2030, approved in 2018, is based on three action plans on non-discrimination: On the grounds of sex and equality between women and men, on preventing and combating all forms of violence against women, gender-based violence and domestic violence and on combating discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sexual characteristics (OIEC).

Liberal Initiative (LI) party wants to free police officers from administrative tasks to have them on the streets more

“Why do the administrative functions that currently exist in the police force have to be performed by police officers?” asked Rui Rocha, president of the Liberal Initiative, this Sunday.

The president of the Liberal Initiative, Rui Rocha, advocates freeing police officers from administrative tasks to put them more on the streets, this being an example of proposals on his list of candidates for the party leadership, presented this Sunday.

“We need more outreach work from the police and less spectacle. We need more police officers on the streets. And there is a question I want to ask: why do the administrative functions that exist in the police today have to be performed by police officers?” asked Rui Rocha.

 

The Algarve Situation Report Thursday 9th January 2025

by Mike Evans

A very warm welcome to this the first Algarve Report of 2025. To those receiving this for the first time this report highlights events and news items which have happened across the region in the past week or so which are of interest to those of us who are concerned with safety and security. If you feel there are other topics you would like to know about please let us know by email and we will try our best to make this report relevant. As with most starts of the year we are reviewing the latest stats regarding the incidence of road accidents and deaths on the roads across the whole country with some special emphasis on the Algarve region.

CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR ROAD ACCIDENT STATISTICS

Across the country as a whole there were Fewer accidents but more deaths on the roads during Christmas and New Year. Road safety authorities recorded 5,499 accidents on Portuguese roads during the Christmas and New Year period, which caused 25 deaths and 115 serious injuries, fewer accidents but more deaths and injuries than in the previous year .

Between December 18, 2024 and January 2, 2025, 502 fewer accidents were recorded than in the previous same period, but there were five more fatalities, eight more serious injuries and 13 more minor injuries (1,692), the National Road Safety Authority ( ANSR ), the PSP and the GNR recently announced in a joint statement to take stock of the road safety campaign “The best gift is being present”.

According to the data released, compared to the same period in 2023/2024, road accidents saw a 25% increase in the number of fatalities, a 7.5% increase in the number of serious injuries and a 0.8% increase in the number of minor injuries, but a decrease of 8.4% in the number of accidents.

The 25 fatalities resulted from accidents in the districts of Aveiro (two dead), Beja (one dead), Braga (two dead), Castelo Branco (one dead), Faro (three dead), Guarda (one dead), Leiria (three dead), Lisbon (six dead), Porto (one dead), Santarém (two dead), Setúbal (two dead) and Viseu (one dead). In the accidents with fatalities, skidding predominated, involving eight light vehicles, seven motorcycles, one quad bike and one agricultural vehicle.

There were also six collisions, involving nine light vehicles, two motorcycles and two bicycles, as well as three run-overs, involving the same number of light vehicles and resulting in three deaths. Of the 25 fatalities, 21 were male and four were female, aged between 19 and 76, the data show.

END OF TOLLS ON A22 FINALLY ARRIVES

After almost 14 years of fighting against tolls on the A22, the existing gantries between Vila Real de Santo António and Lagos were shut down on 1 January, with their removal being “the next battle”. In recent years, this issue has sparked heated debates and revealed different social, economic and environmental perspectives. This decision, supported by residents and local organisations, has profound implications, both positive and negative. From the very first day – 8 December 2011 – the introduction of tolls on the A22 motorway was the subject of protests from locals, local authorities, companies and political parties, and also sparked several parliamentary debates.

For many, the charge was considered one of the “ordeals” of the Algarve residents, who were forced to use the National Road (EN) 125, where road safety leaves much to be desired. After this “saga” and after advances and setbacks, travelling from Sotavento to Barlavento is now cheaper.

Meanwhile the A22 Users’ Committee warns that the fight will continue “for the removal of gantries, denunciation of the public-private partnership and maintenance of the pavement”.

“We must continue to fight. The fight is not over yet. The Via do Infante Users’ Committee [CUVI], from this moment on, will continue to demand the dismantling of the gantries. “Because we don’t know if tomorrow we’ll have another government that, claiming difficulties for the country, will be tempted to reinstate tolls,” says João Vasconcelos, spokesperson for CUVI.

LOULE COUNCIL SHOW POSITIVE RESULTS FOR FIRE PREVENTION IN 2024

In 2024, the municipality of Loulé recorded one of the smallest burnt areas since 2004, corresponding to a value of less than six hectares, concluded the local authority during a meeting of the Municipal Commission for the Integrated Management of Rural Fires in Loulé.

“The municipality of Loulé had a positive performance in fire management, demonstrating that an integrated and collaborative strategy can generate significant results”, consider municipal officials.

According to the municipality, although it recorded the “highest number of small-scale fires” compared to other municipalities in the Algarve, many of the occurrences were identified as “false alarms”, which reinforces the need for “constant vigilance” and a “rapid response capacity”.“The conclusions were presented in detail at the meeting chaired by Mayor Vítor Aleixo, which included several presentations on the work carried out at municipal level in the areas of planning, awareness and public information, prevention, surveillance and fighting of rural fires in the municipality”, the local authority highlights in a statement.

According to those present at the meeting, the reduction in the burnt area was the result of several factors, including “the reinforcement of available resources and equipment, the increase in surveillance actions and the intensification of prevention measures”.

At the same time, Loulé City Council has acquired two Light Firefighting Vehicles (VLCI) that will be part of the fleet of its Municipal Fire Department.

“These are emergency vehicles designed to fight fires, especially in urban and forest areas,” the municipality said in a statement. Because they are smaller vehicles, they are more “agile” and “allow access to places that are difficult for larger vehicles to reach.”

As such, the municipality considers that they are essential for the “speed and effectiveness” of interventions, especially in areas with limited access, constituting an “added value” for optimizing the operational capacity of the Loulé Fire Department.

The vehicles, which represented an investment of 180 thousand euros, include a fire service pump, hoses and other “essential” equipment for fighting fires. In addition, their fuel capacity is sufficient to travel “at least 300 kilometers” or operate the fire pump for “four consecutive hours”.

“Equipping ourselves with equipment such as these vehicles is essential to be able to implement an effective fire-fighting policy, safeguarding human lives, property and the environment. This is, therefore, a very important investment for our community”, highlights Mayor Vítor Aleixo.

LAGOS PROMOTES LIFE SUPPORT AND DEFIBRILLATOR COURSE

As part of the implementation of the Municipal Automatic External Defibrillation Program (PMDAE), which has 24 AED devices in the municipality, 11 of which are in booths on public roads, the municipality of Lagos , through the Civil Protection and Forest Defense Service, offers a Basic Life Support and Automatic External Defibrillation course .

Registration for the Basic Life Support and Automatic External Defibrillation course (7h) can be done through the online form .

“Interested parties will be admitted based on their residence or work area in the vicinity of the AED booths. If you are already an operator with certification from the SBV AED course, please contact us to join the AED operator pool”, informs the municipality.

All information can be found here . Questions and queries should be sent to pmdae@cm-lagos.pt .

200 NEW MEDICAL INTERNS FOR THE ALGARVE

The Algarve Local Health Unit (ULSALG) began the year 2025 by welcoming 202 intern doctors who chose the Algarve health units to carry out their medical internship in General and Specialty Training, General and Family Medicine internship and eight Pharmaceutical Residents.

The Quinta do Sobral event space, in Castro Marim, was the chosen location to welcome, on Friday, January 3, more than 200 new general and specialist intern doctors who will work for the Algarve Local Health Unit, the local authority announced.

The opening session was attended by the president of the Castro Marim City Council , also a doctor, Francisco Amaral , who inaugurated the event with a speech in which he recalled his career in the health sector.

The mayor also recalled the initiatives and measures he has taken over the last few years, such as transporting patients to appointments and examinations, the Mobile Health Unit, the anti-smoking programme and the most recent vaccination campaign against pneumonia.

Francisco Amaral took the opportunity to leave some words and advice to the new doctors, in addition to asking that these professionals settle in the Algarve region. “Learn and dedicate your heart and soul to your profession, or rather, to your vocation,” he added.

The day’s program also included several presentations, meetings and sharing of information about Medical Internship and Pharmaceutical Residency, with the Medical Internship Directorate.

NEW COURSE FOR AQUATIC SAFETY AIMED AT CHILDREN & PARENTS LAUNCHED

Faro Beach  has become the stage for the Aquacidade no Mar project, which aims to provide children, young people and their families with essential knowledge and skills for safety in the aquatic environment, contributing to the prevention of accidents and risky behavior at sea.

The project promotes “inclusive” classes, aimed at children aged three to twelve, but also open to their families. It takes place every Saturday at Praia de Faro, from 3pm to 3:45pm, until 31 May.

“The proposal is to offer an educational and fun environment where participants learn to: adapt to the aquatic environment; practice safety at sea; prevent drowning; and act effectively in risky situations”, highlights Red Seagull in a statement. Participation is free, but requires prior registration via the online form . For more information, Red Seagull provides contact number 932178808.

POLICE IN PORTIMÃO ARREST FOUR DRUG TRAFFICKERS WITH ALMOST 2000 DOSES OF COCAINE

On Tuesday, the GNR of Portimão arrested four men and named a fifth man as a defendant, aged between 30 and 41, for drug trafficking in Portimão, Lagos and Lagoa.

In a statement, the GNR said that as part of an investigation into drug trafficking, which lasted approximately 18 months, with the aim of dismantling a criminal network operating in the western Algarve region, “six house searches and eight vehicle searches were carried out, culminating in the arrest of four men and the indictment of a fifth man”.

A total of 1996 doses of cocaine were seized; a tool used to cut the drug; a digital scale; 20 mobile phones; six pieces of gold and €3680 in cash.

The detainees were charged and the facts were reported to the Portimão Judicial Court.

MILLION-EURO ROBBERY AT LUXURY HOME IN VILAMOURA

The Judiciary Police are investigating a multi-million euro robbery at a luxury home in the Vilamoura area, which reportedly took place on January 6th.

According to Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manhã, the robbery occurred when the owners were at home. They were forced to hand over a large amount of money, jewellery and other valuables, but were not assaulted.

The value of the robbery is said to be more than one million euros.

The victims filed a complaint with the National Republican Guard (GNR), however the case was handed over to the Judiciary Police.

GNR SEIZE 93 KILOS OF HASHISH IN JUST 2 DAYS

The Coastal and Border Control Unit (UCCF) and the Faro GNR Territorial Command, seized 93.6 kilos of hashish as part of intensive patrols along the Algarve coast during the last two days.

According to a statement from the GNR, these patrols were carried out predominantly because of the worsening weather conditions, with the aim of detecting possible landslides along the coast, but resulted in the seizure of drugs.

On Monday, during a patrol on Rebolos/Burgau beach, in Vila do Bispo, soldiers from the Portimão Coastal Control sub-detachment identified a bulky object close to the surf, which was a bundle of burlap with a narcotic product inside.

On the same day, the Portimão territorial detachment of the same security force received a report regarding the presence of another bundle, on Mareta beach in Sagres. At the scene, the military confirmed that the bundle contained narcotics, and was accompanied by a jerrycan containing 25 litres of fuel.

On Tuesday, several packages were found near the surf on Vale da Lapa/Lagoa beach, by soldiers from the Portimão Coastal Control sub-detachment, which also contained a narcotic product.

So thank you for reading to the end of this report. Have a great week

 

Portugal Safety and Security Report Thursday 9th January 2025

Good morning.  Firstly good news that the National Union of Sapadores Firefighters (SNBS) have called off the strike and demonstration scheduled for Jan 15th, to allow the meeting called by the Government for Jan 16th to be held. The government and firefighters’ unions today resume negotiations that had been interrupted on December 3, 2024 due to the protests. In early December, the executive suspended negotiations with firefighters, accusing them of applying illegitimate pressure, with a protest that included firecrackers, torches and smoke near the government headquarters. Let us hope that progress can be made in resolving this dispute.

The recent heavy rains in various parts of the mainland over the last few days has given rise to floods particularly in the north, As a result a series of weather warning were issued by the IPMA and preventive advice issued by the ANEPC. It is very important that the advice particularly that concerning the state of the roads and rough seas affecting some sea fronts, is followed – as it is there to ensure public safety in some conditions.

Specifically there have been a large number of fallen trees, but luckily no deaths which could have resulted in anyone had been in their car at the time. Advice has been given concerning flash flooding which as the name suggests can occur with very little warning. We remind people to follow the advice that is given.

As we are only a short way into winter we can expect more bad weather, so please plan ahead through the proper fixing of loose structures, namely, scaffolding, signposts and other suspended structures as well as the clearing of guttering and drainage channels.

A reminder if you are travelling in Spain and whilst there become a victim of a crime, please note that this cannot now be reported over the phone in English.   Instead for certain crimes use the online “Complaints Forms”, which is available in four languages: Spanish, German, English and French. https://denuncias.policia.es/OVD/?   Please note that you are still required to visit the nearest police station to sign the complaint within 72 hours. Note: If the crime is “process of taking place”, you must report it immediately by using phone numbers 091 or 112.

It was saddening to note from the report on road accidents and inspections in 2024, issued by the National Road Safety Authority (ANSR), there were 475 fatalities, 2,675 serious injuries and 43,319 minor injuries recorded in Portugal.

Most of the fatalities, minor and serious injuries were recorded on the mainland. The districts of Beja, Leiria, Coimbra and Braga were those that recorded the highest variations in terms of serious accidents, with more fatalities and serious injuries, compared to 2023. On the other hand, Vila Real, Castelo Branco and Viana do Castelo showed the most significant decreases. The causes of accidents remain drink driving, excessive speed and use of mobile phones. Most of these accidents could be avoided if drivers acted more responsibly. A good topic for a “New Year’s Resolution”!

Finally we bid farewell to Richard Marques, Civil Protection Sub-Regional Commander for the Algarve, who with effect from 1st January has transferred as the new President of the Madeira Regional Civil Protection Service, IP-RAM and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Regional Civil Protection Service of the Autonomous Region of Madeira. Richard Marques has done an outstanding job both as Civil Protection Commander Portimão and subsequently Faro District Operational Commander. Dealing with some of the major fires in the Algarve. An outstand leader who will be missed, but is the perfect choice for his new position in Madeira. Safe Communities wishes him all the best and for all his support to our association.

Our team at Safe Communities Portugal wish you a Very Happy and Peaceful New year.

News

Bird flu: Chickens on farms in Sintra “died or were slaughtered”, guarantees DGAV

The spread of avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, continues to raise concerns among governments and the agricultural industry after devastating flocks around the world in recent years, disrupting supplies, increasing prices and increasing the risk of human transmission.

And the most recent, according to data provided by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) to the Reuters agency, was detected in the Lisbon region.

“The H5N1 virus was detected in a flock of 55,427 poultry in the village of São João das Lampas, in the district of Lisbon, causing the death of 279 birds”, reveals the organization.

The number of chickens that died from the disease or were slaughtered following confirmation of the outbreak amounts to 55,000, which corresponds to the total number of animals on that farm.

All the egg laying hens that were part of the farm in Sintra, Lisbon, where bird flu was detected, died or were slaughtered, according to data from the General Directorate of Food and Veterinary Affairs (DGAV).

On Monday, the DGAV announced that bird flu had been detected on a farm in Sintra, and control measures were applied, including inspection of the location where the disease was detected, slaughter of infected animals and cleaning of the facilities.

According to data published by DGAV, the number of chickens that died from the disease or were slaughtered following confirmation of the outbreak amounts to 55,427, which corresponds to the total number of animals on that farm.

Restrictions on movement have also been imposed and farms with birds in restricted areas (within a radius of 10 kilometres around the outbreak) are being monitored.

DGAV also asked all operators to report any suspected cases of the disease, stressing that early detection of outbreaks “is essential for the rapid implementation of control measures”.

On the same day that the case was confirmed in Sintra, the Directorate-General for Health (DGS) clarified that, to date, no people with symptoms or signs suggestive of infection by this virus (H5N1) had been identified.

Transmission of the virus to humans is rare, with sporadic cases reported worldwide. However, when it occurs, the infection can lead to a serious clinical condition.  Transmission occurs mainly through contact with infected animals or with tissues, feathers, excrement or inhalation of viruses through contact with infected animals or contaminated environments.

The slaughter took place on Monday and Tuesday.

 

Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 11th December 2024

by Mike Evans

Good day to you all. As the festive holidays get closer and the weather has taken a turn for the worse we should all be aware of the dangers of driving during these holiday periods with excess alcohol in your system. Portugal has the sixth highest number of deaths per million inhabitants across the EU and whilst the trend over the first 6 months of 2024 show a decrease in this figure compared to the same period in 2023 we know from other years data that we see an increase in accidents on our roads during the winter period especially during the Christmas and New Year holidays. There were 642 deaths on our roads during the first 6 months of the year. The Police authorities will be campaigning again over the holiday period to crack down on Drink Driving so to enjoy a Merry Christmas if you have to drive, don’t drink.

Now a look at some of the stories that have been happening across the region in the past seven days.

PORTIMÃO: SUSPICION AROUND MOTHER AND BABY DYING FROM HOME BIRTH

A woman died on Saturday following a home birth, after being transported to Portimão Hospital. Police later found the baby, lifeless, in a room of the house where the woman lived with her husband and two daughters.

INEM was called to assist the 42 year old woman, who was in a serious condition and ended up dying in the hospital, from severe bleeding. It was discovered that the woman was 9 months pregnant.

The hospital alerted the authorities, “and the PSP found the newborn, lifeless, hidden and wrapped in blankets at the woman’s home. Police have suspicions that the baby had been asphyxiated. Reports by Portuguese newspaper, Correio da Manhã, say that the woman hid her pregnancy because there were suspicions of an extramarital affair. Due to her large physique, no one suspected anything, even her family, friends and neighbours.

The bodies were taken to the Portimão Forensic Medical Office for autopsies, “in order to clarify exactly the causes of death”.

The victim’s husband is said to have “reported to the inspectors that he did not know about the pregnancy, and that the child was not his”.

TAVIRA: MAN ARRESTED FOR GROWING CANNABIS

After 2 months of investigations, the Tavira  GNR arrested a 59 year old man yesterday,  for growing cannabis and possession of a prohibited weapon.

The statement reads, “the Guard’s military personnel carried out a house search that culminated in the dismantling of a greenhouse, intended for the cultivation of cannabis, and the seizure of prohibited weapons”.

Several devices related to the different stages of cultivation, drying, packaging and packing of the narcotic product were found during the house search. Police seized 224 cannabis plants, 3358 doses of cannabis, five bottles of cannabidiol (CBD) oil, a tactical crossbow, two recurve bows, 27 darts, 21 arrows, two cell phones, LED lights, solar panels, extractors and fertilizers.

LAGOS: 5 YEAR OLD SUFFERS ELECTRIC SHOCK FROM MUNICIPAL CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

Christmas lights crashed in Lagos on Saturday night, after an exposed wire gave an electric shock to a 5 year old child, in the Jardim da Constituição area.

Yesterday, Hugo Pereira, the Mayor of Lagos, clarified that “it was found that the reason for the shock was an electrical wire that was exposed and was next to the grass, but it was repaired immediately.”

The young boy was assisted by locals, and a firefighter who was in the area. Luckily, he “did not suffer serious injuries, but was taken to hospital as a precaution and for monitoring, and was discharged on Sunday morning”.

“We (the local authority services) were always in contact with the family and monitoring the child. It was an incident that, fortunately, was nothing more than a big scare,” the Mayor highlighted.According to Pereira, the lighting safety circuit breaker “should have tripped, i.e., cut off the electrical current, which did not happen”.

The mayor added that, after the accident, the company responsible for the installation was asked to “carry out a thorough inspection of all the Christmas lights installed in the city, in order to assess their safety conditions.”

Some of the people who witnessed the accident “had collected and published images on social media, with false information, that the child had suffered a cardiac arrest”, said the Mayor, “fortunately, the case did not have serious consequences for the child’s health, contrary to what was reported by onlookers.”

TAVIRA: GNR SEIZES MORE THAN 10,000 LITRES OF PETROL

On Friday, the GNR seized thousands of litres of fuel and arrested two men aged 24 and 35, and charged a third man, aged 44, with aiding drug trafficking in Santa Luzia, Tavira.

The Guard explains that, during a patrol, “a group of individuals were seen transferring fuel cans from a vehicle to a boat”. The GNR, in view of the suspicious activity, decided to establish “a security perimeter at the site” and proceed with the “mobilization of operational reinforcement”.

Upon seeing the GNR, the suspects “began to flee in a boat, but were intercepted by soldiers from the Coastal and Border Control Unit (UCCF) and the Intervention Detachment (DI) of Faro”, said the GNR.

The operation resulted in the seizure of 401 jerry cans of petrol, holding 10,000 litres and two light goods vehicles. The facts were referred to the Tavira Judicial Court.

LARGE AMOUNT OF WASTE PRODUCED BY TOURISTS HAS A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE ALGARVE

The production of waste by tourists during peak season has a significant impact on the management of municipal solid waste in the Algarve, with an urgent need to define sustainable solutions, according to a study presented in Vilamoura at the end of November.

The study “The implications of tourist activity in the Algarve region for urban waste management”, which brought together researchers from five universities in Portugal and the United States, reveals the “urgent need to define sustainable solutions to address the environmental and economic impact, caused by the high tourist seasonality” in this region.

According to researcher Eduardo Cardadeiro, coordinator of the study, a tourist in the Algarve produces, on average, twice as much waste per day as a resident of the region, and the fact that there is “strong seasonality” causes an increased difficulty in managing solid waste.

“Tourism is fundamental to the Algarve’s economy, but it is necessary to ensure that its growth does not compromise the region’s sustainable development,” added the professor from the Autonomous University. According to Eduardo Cardadeiro, the study will continue to be developed, having in this first phase, among other things, characterised the relationship between tourism and waste management and analyzed the production of municipal solid waste by tourism.

“If we can better understand the impact of tourism on waste production and better manage this process, we will perhaps be in a better position to achieve targets in the waste sector, to have more sustainable management, and to promote the Algarve as a destination that sustainably manages waste, promoting the circular economy,” he said.

The study concluded that in 2023 the Algarve recorded 29 million overnight stays, of which 82% occurred in the high season, which created significant pressure on the region’s waste management services.

During the month of August, tourism was responsible for 41% of waste production, equivalent to 3.6 kilos per night, that is, more than double the per capita production of local residents. Waste production in the high season also has an economic impact, since the total cost of waste management in 2023 was 81.3 million euros, with significantly higher average costs in the high season, reaching €436 per tonne for unsorted waste, compared to €147 per tonne in the low season.

The study also reveals that, currently, more than 80% of municipal waste in the Algarve is deposited in landfills, while recycling and reuse rates are below 15%, which is below the targets set by the European Union for 2035.

The document also identified the need to implement measures to meet the targets defined by the European Union, and promote a circular economy and sustainable practices for the Algarve region.

In a second phase of the study, in 2025, a pilot project will be implemented to optimize waste management, such as dedicated collection circuits, through the involvement of regional partner entities, such as Algar, responsible for the selective collection of waste at ecopoints, the Algarve Intermunicipal Community (AMAL), tour operators, hotels and restaurants.

Environmental, social and sustainability performance indicators will also be developed, to monitor progress and adapt solutions to local needs.

Finally, in a third phase, the measures successfully tested in the pilot project will be extended to the entire Algarve region.

The study on the treatment of municipal solid waste in the Algarve was promoted by the Center for Research in Economic and Business Sciences (CICEE),in partnership with the University of Algarve and with the support of Algar.

ALGARVE AVOCADO THIEVES APPREHENDED

Four people have been detained by the GNR in Vila Nova de Cacela, district of Faro, for stealing avocados, with the authorities managing to seize more than a ton of the fruit and the vehicle which was being used in the theft. In a statement, the GNR explains that the arrest of the two men and two women took place on Sunday, following a complaint that agricultural products were being stolen. Authorities went to the scene, seizing a vehicle and more than 1,200 kilos of avocados, which were returned to the owner.

This arrest occurred at a time when Operation Campo Seguro was being carried out, whose objective was to intensify awareness, patrolling and inspection of rural and forestry properties throughout the national territory.

That’s all for this week, Stay Safe.

 

Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 11th December 2024

Good morning everyone. Well at long last has come with temperatures falling just below 0C in areas of the centre and north. However, although colder the temperatures are normal so far for this time of year. As such, unlike the situation in the north and north east of Spain, no low temperature or snow warnings have been raised in Portugal.

However, both the IPMA and Director General of Health have issued cold and health advice to help people, especially the most vulnerable groups such as young children and the elderly which has been echoed by the ANEPC and ourselves on social media. Please follow the advice especially when driving or carrying out physical work outdoors.

Portugal was lucky in that we only experienced relatively minor effects Storm Darragh which caused considerable damage and disruption in the UK resulting in two deaths. Winds of 150 km/h were recorded in Wales, bringing down transmission lines leaving thousands without power. The strong winds also affected France with gusts of up to 159 km/h recorded in Carteret, in La Manche. In Brittany, peaks of over 140 km/h were measured (Ouessant, Groix, Pointe du Raz, etc.). But the record was recorded in the Pyrénées-Orientales: 184 km/h.

A report that captured our attention yesterday, published by the European Environmental Agency (EEA) revealed that in 2022, no less than 240,000 people in Europe died due to a high concentration of fine particles in the air, namely PM2.5 — with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres. This was however less than the previous year and there is a decreasing trend since 2005. (See more in the following press release.)

As I mentioned on KissFM radio last Sunday, It is important to take extra steps to protect your property over the Christmas New Year period. Nothing can ruin the festive spirit faster than becoming a victim of crime. The good news is that many crimes are preventable.

What we are doing at Safe Communities Portugal to draw attention to this, is launching our Twelve Days of Christmas – Crime Prevention Campaign. Based on the song “Twelve Days of Christmas”, the campaign will feature crime prevention tips on our Facebook page starting December 14 (rather than the traditional start date which is December 25) and on Kiss FM Radio. Particularly important are taking common sense crime prevention measure, especially if you are taking a holiday and your property will be empty during this period.

In the lead up to Black Friday and Christmas we have seen an increase in scams/fraud. The main ones are criminals using the name of AT the Finances, EDP and now Social Services. Today Social Security is warning of a new SMS fraud attempt that encourages people to pay “supposed debts”. According to the state entity, the SMS circulates with the following information: ” Sender: Social Security; Entity: 11249; Reference: 506133385 and value: 1469.85 euros “, reads the alert published by Security on the website and social network X (ex-Twitter).

As with all these scams do not click on any links or reply. If you do and have given away personal data to the fraudster, which has resulted in the loss of money, then you should report it to police as soon as possible. We expect these sorts of scam will become more frequent in the lead up to the New Year.

Our team at Safe Communities wish you a safe week ahead.

News

Nearly 240,000 people died in Europe in 2022 due to fine particles in the air

In addition to deaths caused by exposure to fine particles, 70,000 deaths are attributable to exposure to ozone (O3) pollution, mainly due to road traffic and industrial activities.

Air pollution caused by fine particles killed 239,000 people in the European Union (EU) in 2022, a 5% drop in one year, according to a report by the European Environment Agency (EEA).

“At least 239,000 deaths in the EU in 2022 are attributable to exposure to fine particle pollution above the WHO (World Health Organization) recommended concentration of 5 ug/m3,” the Copenhagen-based agency said in a statement.

Italy, Poland and Germany have the highest number of deaths due to fine particles (PM2.5 — with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres, equivalent to one thousandth of a millimetre).

The death toll across Europe is lower than in 2021, when fine particles, which penetrate deep into the lungs, caused the premature deaths of 253,000 people.

This is a confirmed trend: between 2005 and 2022, the number of deaths fell by 45%, the EEA welcomes, considering that this could make it possible to achieve the objective of reducing deaths by 55% by 2030, as foreseen in the EU’s “zero pollution” action plan.

In addition to deaths caused by exposure to fine particles, 70,000 deaths are attributable to exposure to ozone (O3) pollution, mainly due to road traffic and industrial activities.

As for nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a gas produced mainly by vehicles and thermoelectric plants, it was responsible for 48,000 premature deaths.

The agency, which does not add up the death toll as it believes this would lead to double counting, stresses that air pollution remains the most significant environmental threat to the health of Europeans.

Scientists warn of risk of Dengue Mosquito in Portugal – Mosquito Alert App

There are an increasing number of mosquitoes of the Aedes albopictus species (which transmit viruses that cause infectious diseases such as dengue fever) in the districts of Lisbon and Faro.

Researchers from the Terra Associated Laboratory warned this Monday about the risks to public health posed by the presence of the ‘Aedes albopictus’ mosquito in Portugal, which can transmit viral diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and Zika.

“The mere presence of these mosquitoes increases the risk of outbreaks of these diseases with direct implications for public health”, says scientist Hugo Osório, from the Terra Associated Laboratory, linked to the Universities of Lisbon and Coimbra, as quoted in a news item on the Terra website.

Invasive mosquitoes of that species transmit the viruses of those diseases if they are infected and their increased presence in Portugal, especially in the regions of Faro and Lisbon, has raised concerns.

Hugo Osório, also linked to the Institute of Environmental Health (ISAMB), explains in the news released today that the species ‘Aedes albopictus’ has a great capacity for adaptation, which facilitates its spread, especially in urban areas such as Lisbon and Faro, where ecological conditions and climatic factors favour its establishment and increase in populations.

César Capinha, also a member of the laboratory and researcher at the Centre for Geographical Studies (CEG), highlights that the establishment of ‘Aedes albopictus’ in the country and its “probable future expansion to other urban areas (…) was predictable”, taking into account “the favourable climatic conditions and (…) accidental dispersal associated with the movement of transport and goods”.

To minimize their proliferation, this researcher considers it crucial to take measures such as “avoiding the accumulation of water in containers that could serve as breeding grounds”, as well as “strengthening monitoring to prevent the introduction of invasive species and intensifying efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions”, which he considers to be one of the main factors currently driving the redistribution of species.

The researcher also believes that “citizen science” can also be a “valuable tool”, by allowing the expansion of mosquitoes to be monitored, contributing to risk assessment and anticipation of possible outbreaks of the diseases they transmit.

With the Mosquito Alert app, available for download on the Play Store and App Store, anyone can photograph a mosquito and send the image. The information is analysed by experts from the National Institute of Health Dr Ricardo Jorge (INSA), who identify the species and confirm the location, returning the result.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details…

The Terra Associated Laboratory brings together more than 450 scientists from five research units at the Universities of Lisbon and Coimbra.

Note: Aedes albopictus has been reported in the following areas: Albania, Austria (not established to date), Belgium (not established to date), Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic (not established to date), France (including Corsica), Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy (including Sardinia, Sicily, Lampedusa, and other islands), Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands (not established to date), Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia (not established to date), Slovakia (not established to date), Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey and Vatican City

 

Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 4th December 2024

Good morning everyone. During the last week or so the emphasis has been very much concerning on-line scams. The PSP Police, Judicial Police and EDP have all given press releases on this topic.  This coincides with Black Friday and Cyber Monday which was the main topic of my KissFM radio feature last Saturday.

The PSP press release was on the subject of telephone scams which included phishing. One of the telephone scams is the scammer sending the victim a text say that a debt needs paying or the service (such as EDP) will be discontinued. Yesterday EDP gave a press bulletin stating that EDP Comercial registered a significant increase in reports by customers of attempted fraud, at various stages of the energy bill payment process and invoking the company’s name with the intention of obtaining a payment, falsely using the name of EDP, reads a note sent to Lusa.

According to data released by the electricity company, from 1st November up until mid-November, 2,000 fraud attempts were recorded , when in the same month of 2023 1,700 had been reported for the full month. In October there were more than 3,000 fraud attempts, above the approximately 1,800 in the same period of the previous year, that is, an increase of 65%. This is a considerable increase.  Whenever EDP Comercial is informed of a case, it advises the customer to file a fraud complaint with the police and to immediately contact their bank.

Firefighters are protesting again this Tuesday in Lisbon. After a peaceful start, they broke through the police cordon and threw firecrackers and smoke incendiary devices. They are demanding a 200 euro pay raise. Firefighters from all over the country are involved in the protest, between Avenida de Roma and Campus XXI, where the meeting between the Government and the unions representing firefighters is taking place. Among other demands, they are asking for the career to be valued and for more respect for the profession.

As a result the meeting of the various unions with the Government due today was suspended, as government refused to negotiate with firefighters under “coercion” and in the face of a “disorderly” demonstration. This is a great pity as hopefully through negotiations that these important issues can be addressed.

Yet another strike by CP railways has been scheduled for 6th December. CP – Comboios de Portugal foresees “severe disruptions” to traffic following the general strike scheduled for next Friday, warning of the impact in the days before and after the strike. “Due to a strike called by the SMAQ union [National Union of Portuguese Railway Drivers], major disruptions to traffic are expected on 6 December with an impact on the days before and after”, states a note published on the CP website. For customers who have already purchased tickets to travel on Alfa Pendular, Intercidades, Internacional, InterRegional and Regional trains, CP will allow a refund. (See news item below).

The Braga Official Animal Collection Centre (CRO) will temporarily suspend adoption processes during the Christmas season, specifically between December 14th and January 5th, to “prevent impulsive decisions” when adopting an animal.

In a statement, Braga City Council states that this measure, which has already been applied over previous years, “has as its main objective the promotion of conscious adoptions” and “arises from the need to prevent impulsive decisions often motivated by the festive context and which frequently result in returns or abandonment”. We support this move as it is an unfortunate fact that despite good intentions, impulsive decisions to adopt an animal as a Christmas or birthday present often leads to abandonment later on. Looking after an animal comes with it responsibility by the owner for its well-being, so think carefully before going ahead at any time of the year.

Our team at Safe Communities Portugal wish you a safe week ahead.

News:

CP warns of “strong impact” of general strike scheduled for Friday

CP – Comboios de Portugal foresees “severe disruptions” to traffic following the general strike scheduled for next Friday, warning of the impact in the days before and after the strike. “Due to a strike called by the SMAQ union [National Union of Portuguese Railway Drivers], major disruptions to traffic are expected on 6 December with an impact on the days before and after”, states a note published on the CP website.

This information will be updated if minimum services are defined, states the same note, which also informs customers who have already purchased tickets about the refund conditions.

Therefore, for customers who have already purchased tickets to travel on Alfa Pendular, Intercidades, Internacional, InterRegional and Regional trains, CP will allow a refund of the full value of the ticket purchased, or its free exchange for another train of the same category and in the same class.

Both (refund and exchange) can be made at the ticket offices in myCP, in the “Your tickets” area (for tickets purchased at the Online Ticket Office and CP App) “up to 15 minutes before the train leaves the customer’s station of origin”.

This strike was called by the train drivers’ union due to the Government’s lack of clarification on the relationship between railway accidents and the alcohol level of these workers and to demand adequate safety conditions.

“SMAQ – National Union of Portuguese Railway Drivers has decided to proceed with a general strike notice for December 6, 2024, with impacts on the 5th and 7th, in the seven companies where it is represented: CP – EPE, Fertagus, MTS – Metro do Sul do Tejo, ViaPorto, Captrain, Medway and IP – Infraestruturas de Portugal”, said that structure, in a statement.

At issue are the statements made by the Minister of the Presidency, António Leitão Amaro, at a press conference after the Council of Ministers on Thursday, in which he stated that “it is not well known, but Portugal has the second worst performance in terms of the number of accidents that occur per kilometre of railway” and that it has “a performance around seven times worse than the first half of European countries”.

97 people drowned until the end of October

The majority of people who died by drowning were men over 40 years old, with most cases occurring during leisure sea bathing, boat fishing and vehicles falling into the water.

Ninety-seven people drowned up until October 31, most of them in water and in unmonitored areas, according to data from the Drowning Observatory report of the Portuguese Federation of Lifeguards (FEPONS).

In a statement released this Tuesday, FEPONS states that in 10 months 97 deaths were recorded, almost all (96.9%) in unmonitored areas and the majority (56.7%) in areas in the interior of the country.

According to FEPONS data, 43.3% of deaths occurred at sea, 29.9% in rivers, 7.2% in wells, 5.2% in dams, and 5.2% in domestic swimming pools.

The majority of people who died by drowning were men (77.3%) over 40 years old (57.7%), with the majority of cases occurring during leisure sea bathing (21.6%), boat fishing (10.3%, due to vehicles falling into the water (4.1%) and recreational fishing for bivalves (4.1%).

Regarding geographical distribution, 14.4% of cases occurred in the Porto district, 13.4% in Setúbal and 11.3% in Lisbon. According to the document, 30.9% of deaths were witnessed with an attempted rescue.

April was the month with the most deaths (26.8%), followed by August (13.4%) and July (11.3%).

The Drowning Observatory is a system created by the Portuguese Federation of Lifeguards to count deaths by drowning in Portugal.

Registration is carried out by links to newspaper clippings or images thereof. This year’s bathing season began on the 1st of May holiday in the municipality of Cascais and in some places in Madeira.

The bathing season of each year is defined in an ordinance published in the Official Gazette, which identifies the bathing waters and the respective season, considering until the publication that at a national level the bathing season runs from 1 May to 30 October. Between these dates, the municipal councils determine when the bathing season begins and ends in their territory, with some opting to start earlier and end later.

 

The Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 4th December 2024

by Mike Evans

A very good day to you all across the region. I am starting this report with the news that there are still a number of young people and some children who have contracted the dangerous virus Hepatitis A.

An outbreak of hepatitis A remains active in the Algarve region, with a total of 25 cases to date, with the first case reported on 15/08/2024 and the most recent on 26/11/2024”, informed the Algarve regional health delegate, after the Baixo Alentejo Public Health Unit (USP) revealed last Friday the existence of an outbreak of hepatitis A, originating in the Algarve, with six cases in the Bairro das Pedreiras, in Beja.

In the Algarve, the outbreak has predominantly affected children and young people, with 16 reported cases, and also adults (nine), including a health professional, the regional health authority added. Those affected are residents of three clusters in the municipality of Faro and one in the municipality of Olhão, “in homes with poor hygiene and health conditions, which favors the transmission of this type of disease”, explains the same source.

According to the health authority, “outside this community, but epidemiologically linked to this outbreak”, there was one case in the Lisbon and Tagus Valley region, “where the child was temporarily with the family”, and six in the Alentejo region.

All identified cases were symptomatic, with fever, jaundice, acholia, abdominal pain, fatigue, anorexia, nausea and vomiting, among others.

According to the Algarve regional health delegate, an epidemiological investigation, including environmental investigation, was carried out, “which was inconclusive as to the origin of the outbreak”.

To prevent the transmission of the disease, contact identification was carried out, vaccination against hepatitis A was carried out, with 157 eligible people “accepting to be vaccinated”, and information actions were carried out for affected families. Regarding measures to prevent transmission, meetings were held with those responsible for municipalities where the outbreak remains active, also involving institutions and non-governmental organizations that provide support to more vulnerable populations.

The Algarve regional health delegate highlights “the importance of implementing measures to prevent transmission and reinforcing vaccination among individuals at greater risk of exposure” and requests, in case of suspicion, that SNS24 (808 24 24 24) be contacted for screening and advice.

Hepatitis A is an inflammation of the liver that can cause mild to severe illness. The hepatitis A virus (HAV) is transmitted through ingestion of contaminated food and water or through direct contact with an infectious person . Almost everyone recovers fully from hepatitis A with lifelong immunity.

This time of year is also when the flu virus is around so make sure you are all stocked up with flu remedies or have the flu vaccination for those eligible.

Now a look at some of the stories from around the region in the past week.

1 Dead and 2 Seriously Injured in Motorway Crash

A man said to be in his 50s died and two others, aged 45 and 90, were seriously injured in a head-on collision on the Algarve’s A22 motorway this Friday afternoon (November 29).

The accident occurred at kilometer 22, between Lagoa and Portimão, as one of the vehicles involved was driving against the flow of traffic.

The crash happened shortly after 2pm, prompting authorities to close the A22 in both directions. The two victims who sustained serious injuries were taken to Portimão Hospital. It is still unclear why one of the vehicles was driving the wrong way on the motorway, a source from the Algarve’s civil protection command told Lusa news agency. There are several signposts at all entrances and exits of the motorway warning drivers to stop if they happen to enter the A22 incorrectly.

Burglar Of Luxury Homes Arrested in Loulé

GNR police arrested a 37-year-old man on November 27 for a series of burglaries targeting luxury residences in the municipality of Loulé, home to the Algarve’s famous Golden Triangle comprising Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo and Vilamoura.

The arrest followed an 18-month investigation into thefts that targeted high-end homes in the municipality, which led to the identification and location of the suspect. Acting on this evidence, authorities executed both a search warrant at the suspect’s residence and an arrest warrant. During the operation, police seized various items believed to be linked to the burglaries, including jewelry and watches, €3,650 in cash and 50 Canadian dollars.

The suspect was due to be heard in court.

Faro promotes 1st Municipal Volunteer Meeting

The municipality of Faro celebrates International Volunteer Day on December 5th by holding the 1st Municipal Volunteer Meeting. The event will take place at the University of Algarve (Penha Campus), Pedagogical Complex – Amphitheatre 1.5, between 9am and 5pm.

The initiative is co-organized by the University of Algarve (UAlg) and the institution’s Volunteer Group, UAlg V+, and aims to “mobilize and inspire citizens to volunteer, raise awareness of the relevance of cooperation, social responsibility and volunteering, as well as the importance of exercising participatory citizenship in order to optimize available resources”.

The Faro Volunteer Platform will be presented during the event, and will be available here .

“It is intended to be a connecting instrument between people who express their availability and willingness to volunteer and entities that promote volunteering”, the local authority highlights in a statement.

For more information, contact +351 289 870 869 or email dis@cm-faro.pt .

Algarve Water Levels Still Lowest in Country

The amount of water stored in river basins was higher than average at the end of November, except in the Lima, Ave, Mira, Ribeiras do Algarve and Arade basins, according to the National Resource Information System Water. On the last day of November and in relation to the last day of the previous month, there was an increase in the volume stored in five river basins and a drop in seven, according to SNIRH.

Of the 60 monitored reservoirs, 11 had water availability greater than 80% of the total volume and 12 had availability below 40%. At the end of November, the river basin of the Barlavento Algarve continued to be the one with the least reserves at 12.6%, the same value as at the end of October. The average for the month of November in this river basin is 55.1%.

According to data from SNIRH, the Arade basin with 30.4%, Mira with 37%, Lima with 50.6% and Ave with 58.8%, are those that retain the least water.

Police to Clamp Down on Speeding Drivers In Run Up to Christmas

The National Road Safety Authority (ANSR), the PSP and the GNR have begun the “Travel Without Hurry” road campaign, in a bid to alert drivers to the dangers of excesses on the roads, especially of speedThe campaign takes place from December 3rd to 9th and is part of the 2024 National Inspection Plan.

The objective of the campaign is “to warn drivers about the risks of driving at high speed, considering that this is one of the main causes of accidents on the roads and is responsible for around 60% of registered infractions”.. These entities highlight, in this regard, that “the probability of fatalities increases depending on the speed at which vehicles travel”.

They give as an example a case of being run over, in which if a vehicle travels at 30 km/h, the probability of the consequences being fatal is 10%, but increasing the speed to 50 km/h, the probability becomes 90%.

ANSR, GNR and PSP remember “speed is the main cause of a third of all fatal accidents” and that the faster you drive, the less time drivers have to immobilize the vehicle when something unexpected happens.

Until the next time Stay Safe