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Portugal Situation Report Wednesday 5th January 2023 

Good morning and a Very Happy New Year to everyone.

However in terms of road accidents it was certainly not a happy new year to the families and friends of 22 people who lost their lives through road accidents. During the Christmas and New Year period, there were 5,745 accidents on Portuguese roads, 797 more than in the same period last year, and 22 deaths, six more.

According to ANSR, regarding enforcement 23,100 records were registered of drivers who were speeding and 1,625 drivers had a blood alcohol level higher than the maximum allowed, which resulted in a total of 811 arrests, 124 more than in the previous year. The Secretary of State Patricia Gasper specified that “it is above all a change of mentality and realizing that driving under the influence of alcohol is not at all acceptable” and maintained that “it is a practice that must be eradicated”.

In the lead up to the festive period there was an intensive campaign utilizing social media, and radio/television to try and drive home these messages concerning the effects of drink driving in particular and use of mobile phones and excess speed being the main causes of fatal accidents. The theme “The Best Gift is Being Present”, showing the effect on families resulting from the loss of a family member through a road accident, was in my view well thought out and appropriate. The results are therefore disappointing.

On a more positive note, however, the Portuguese Environment Agency reported on Monday that reservoirs were with an average storage of 82%, although three were still less than 20%. Last year at this time use of water for electricity production was suspended at some dams due to low water levels and given the magnitude of the drought situation at the time. However the focus is still on the Campilhas and Monte da Rocha reservoirs, both in the Sado hydrographic basin, with, respectively, 11% and 10% of their capacity, and Bravura, in the Western Algarve, with 12% of the total volume stored remains in a critical situation.

Rail strikes appear to becoming far more frequent. The National Union of Drivers of the Portuguese Railways (SMAQ) started yesterday (Tuesday) a strike that will last all week, to demand better working conditions and wage increase, according to a statement. The strike will have an higher impact between “00h00 on January 4, 2023 and 00h00 on January 6, 2023”, when workers are “on strike to perform any and all work”. Travellers are advised to check the CP website you can find the minimum services decreed by the court for those days. https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/en/train-times/Alerts/strike-3-to-8-january-2023

One of the biggest changes in the Civil Protection system took place yesterday with the end of the 18 district operations and relief commands (CDOS), which have been replaced by 24 sub-regional commands. This restructuring was planned for in the organic law of the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority, which came into force in April 2019.

In a recent interview with Lusa, the Secretary of State for Civil Protection considered that this new way of working or this “new skeleton” of Civil Protection will allow for a system “closer to territories and people”, as well as municipalities. The Secretary of State also stated that the population will not notice this change, with assistance continuing to be provided “in exactly the same way”. With the restructuring there will be some differences, namely in the municipalities whose inter-municipal communities encompass different districts.

The recent floods together with fallen trees and landslips resulting from heavy rains is a reminder of the importance of following the advice given by the civil protection authorities. We saw several instances of people driving their cars into flooded areas with the inevitable outcome; the car becoming immobilized. In one case and elderly couple cut the tapes put in place by the GNR so they could pass along a flooded road and then became trapped as the car became lodged in a whole in the road and they had to be rescued (see photo). This incidence as well as some of the landslips involving boulders falling on to roads, are good reasons why in extreme conditions, when warnings are in place, people should avoid travelling. The more people on the streets the higher the risk of injuries or worse, and places the emergencies themselves at risk in rescue operations.

Our team at Safe Communities wish you all a Safe and Very Happy New Year.

News

New Secretaries of State sworn in by the President of the Republic

Lisbon, 04 Jan 2023 (Lusa) – The six new Secretaries of State, whose appointment proposals were accepted by the President of the Republic, take office today, at 6 pm, in Belém, together with the Ministers of Infrastructure, João Galamba, and of Housing, Marina Gonçalves.

In this way, they are sworn in this afternoon by the Head of State Pedro Sousa Rodrigues, who replaces Alexandra Reis in the Treasury, Ana Fontoura Gouveia, in Energy and Climate, Hugo Pires, in the Environment, Frederico Francisco, in Infrastructures, Fernanda Rodrigues, in Housing, and Carla Alves, in Agriculture.

According to an official source of the executive, this last change, in the Ministry of Agriculture, happens due to health reasons of the outgoing Secretary of State, Rui Martinho.

The list now publicly released with the names of the six new Secretaries of State was sent by the Government on Tuesday night to the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.

Pedro Nuno Santos, now replaced in his ministerial portfolios by João Galamba and Marina Gonçalves, resigned from the Government last Wednesday night to “assume political responsibility” for the compensation case of 500 thousand euros paid by TAP to the former Secretary of State for the Treasury Alexandra Reis.

The resignation of Pedro Nuno Santos was the third in the Government in the last week of December and the tenth to affect a member of the socialist executive with an absolute majority.

On December 27, the Minister of Finance, Fernando Medina, dismissed Alexandra Reis as Secretary of State for the Treasury, less than a month after having invited her to this post in the Government and after four days of controversy over the compensation of 500 thousand euros that this career manager had received from TAP, a company then supervised by Pedro Nuno Santos.

Covid-19. European Commission recommends masks on flights from China

The European Commission (EC) will recommend the replacement of the use of masks by passengers on flights from China and is evaluating mandatory testing, due to the increase in SARS-CoV-2 infections in that country.

Spokesperson, Tim McPhie, announced that the Commission “prepared a draft” that “is now being refined based on conversations with Member States”, which will be “published shortly” and includes “the mask recommendation on flights from China, monitoring the water” used in aircraft and increasing “surveillance in testing and vaccination” of the European population.

“We want to ensure that immunity levels [of the population of EU Member States] are as high as possible,” added Tim McPhie.

The Commission spokesman added that a “discussion on the need to test [passengers] before departure” of a flight to European territory was proposed, a measure with which “most countries are in favour”.

“The European Commission is playing its role in facilitating these discussions” in order to have a “coordinated response from the European Union”, maintained Tim McPhie.

The subject was the subject of debate at a meeting of the Integrated Political Response to Crises (IPCR) Group, in which representatives of the European institutions, Member States and specialists participate, which took place on Tuesday and will continue throughout the afternoon of today. .

Change in Civil Protection Structure takes place 

The change in the Civil Protection system from a district structure to a sub-regional model will take place on Wednesday 4th January 2023, after being postponed on the 1st due to bad weather, the Secretary of State for Civil Protection said today.

“The operational situation has stabilized, which was what prevented this change from being made on the 1st, as planned. It was not sensible to make a change of this size, of this sensitivity at a time when the entire system was responding to a complex emergency situation in the north and centre of the country”, Patrícia Gaspar told journalists.

The change in the Civil Protection system ends the end of the 18 district operations and rescue commands (CDOS), which will give way to 24 sub-regional commands. The end of the 18 CDOS and the creation of 24 sub-regional emergency and civil protection commands were foreseen in the organic law of the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority, which came into force in April 2019.

The Northern Regional Command will cover the sub-regional commands of Alto Minho, Alto Tâmega and Barroso, the Metropolitan Area of ​​Porto, Ave, Cávado , Douro, Tâmega e Sousa and Terras de Trás-os-Montes and the Regional Command of the Center will include the sub-regional commands of Beira Baixa, Beiras and Serra da Estrela, Aveiro Region, Coimbra Region , from the region of Leiria and Viseu Dão Lafões.

In turn, the Regional Command for Lisbon and the Tagus Valley will cover the sub-regional commands for Greater Lisbon, the Lezíria do Tejo, the Middle Tagus, the West and the Setúbal Peninsula, the regional command for Alentejo will include the commands sub-regional units of Alentejo Central, Alentejo Litoral, Alto Alentejo and Baixo Alentejo and the regional command for the Algarve includes the sub-regional command for the Algarve.

The Secretary of State also stated that the population will not notice this change, with assistance continuing to be provided “in exactly the same way”.

Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 4th January 2023

by Mike Evans

Good day to you all and a very happy New year from us all at Safe Communities Portugal. Welcome to the first Algarve Situation Report of 2023. Throughout the next 12 months we will endeavour to provide you with the latest news concerning safety and security from across the Algarve.

Let’s start off with the latest figures regarding the Operations carried out by the GNR over the period between Christmas and the New Year. During this period, 88 people were arrested (there were 52 in the previous week, which ended on Christmas Day), of which, 21 for driving without a legal licence, 13 for driving under the influence of alcohol and nine for drug trafficking, according to the GNR statement.

At the same time, the GNR detected 924 road traffic offences, of which 187 were due to speeding, 77 due to lack of mandatory periodic inspection, 41 related to anomalies in the lighting and signalling systems, 23 due to improper use of the mobile phone while driving and 20 due to lack of liability insurance. With regard to accidents on Algarve roads, 109 accidents were recorded, resulting in one death, three serious injuries and 19 minor injuries.

Away from the roads and throughout the week ending on Sunday, the GNR seized, among other products, 575 doses of hashish, 46 doses of cocaine, as well as various pyrotechnic devices, clothing, cosmetics and electronic equipment.

Person Dies in Road Traffic collision

A man aged around 60 died on Friday, December 30, following a collision between two light vehicles in Olhão, said a Civil Protection source.

The alert was given at 18:00 and the accident resulted in one death and one slightly injured, said a source from the District Center for Civil Protection (CDOS) in Faro. The collision took place on National Road 398 in Moncarapacho , in the municipality of Olhão .

The death was confirmed at the scene by the doctor from the Medical Emergency and Resuscitation Vehicle (VMER), he added.

On site were elements of the Firefighters of Olhão, INEM and Infrastructures of Portugal, in addition to the GNR that took care of the occurrence, in a total of 15 operational, supported by eight vehicles.

Crash on N125 causes serious injury.

Four people were injured, one of them seriously, following a collision that took place this Tuesday 3rd January  between two goods vehicles on National Road (EN) 125, in the municipality of Portimão, a Civil Protection source said .

According to the Faro District Relief Operations Command (CDOS) , the accident occurred in the early afternoon, on the EN125, in the Belmonte area, in the municipality of Portimão, and involved two light goods vehicles. According to the source, the accident led to the conditioning of road traffic on the road section near Belmonte, which has now been re-established.

A total of 28 operators from the firefighters, the National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM), the National Republican Guard (GNR) and the highway concessionaire were deployed in the victim assistance operations.

The causes of the accident are being investigated by the Núcleo de Investigação de Crimes em Acidentes de Viação (NICAV) of the GNR.

ASAE closes clandestine animal slaughter site in Silves

The Food and Economic Security Authority (ASAE) dismantled two clandestine animal slaughter sites, one of which is in Silves . Three people were arrested and seizures estimated at 4,350 euros were carried out.

“ASAE carried out, through the Southern Regional Unit, and following investigations within the scope of the fight against criminal offences against public health, several inspection actions aimed at the clandestine slaughter of animals, in the municipalities of Silves, Portimão and Batalha”, indicated in a statement. In this context, it dismantled, in Silves and Batalha, two places of clandestine slaughter, where “roasting and part of the marketing” took place.

The remaining animals were sent for consumption in restaurants during the festive season, “without their being subject to any health inspection to screen for any diseases”.

ASAE instituted three criminal proceedings for clandestine slaughter, which constitutes a crime against public health, and seized 47 piglets, a kid and a lamb, as well as metal utensils and packaging used for packaging and transporting the roasted piglets, “disguising the its origin and misleading the consumer”.

In total, the value of the seizures was estimated at around 4,350 euros.

Following these crimes, ASAE detained three people and ordered the total suspension of activities “unlicensed and without minimum conditions” for their operation.

60 kilos of crab and 11 fishing gear seized in Tavira

The Maritime Police seized on Tuesday, January 3, about 60 kilos of Moorish crab and 11 professional fishing gear in the Ria Formosa , in Tavira, announced the National Maritime Authority.

This seizure by the Tavira Maritime Police Local Command took place during a patrolling action for fishing in the estuary, when two men were detected using “pots” and using Moorish crab as bait.When the men saw the security forces, they fled and left their fishing equipment at the scene.

The respective news reports were prepared and three members of the Tavira Maritime Police Local Command were involved in this action , supported by a vehicle and a boat.

First Baby of the Year born in Faro Hospital

Sanyam Malla is the son of Nepalese parents and is also one of the babies of the year in Portugal. With so many turns that life takes, and after his parents had already been to several countries, little Sanyam ended up being born in the Algarve, precisely at 00:00 on January 1, 2023. The smiles of parents do not deceive… This one is a special baby who “came to give meaning to the life” of a couple who live more than eight thousand kilometres away from their country

Newborns may, in fact, be synonymous with fragility. But let’s not forget that they are also the pinnacle of courage, strength and resilience in their most natural state. “That’s exactly what Sanyam is”, says the emotional mother.

The roots and blood are Nepalese, but the Algarve will forever mark the life of Sanyam – a name that in Nepal means “calm, peace and someone who is peaceful and patient”, explains the mother. This Baby of the Year was born by normal delivery at 00:00 on the first day of 2023 “with 3.495 kilos and 49 centimetres”, describes his father, Sandesh Malla, 29 years old.

Switzerland was the gateway to Europe for this young couple who left their homeland “in search of a better life”. After having been “studying” in Switzerland, Sandesh Malla ended up coming to the Algarve with his wife, where he now works “in a restaurant in Ferragudo ”, he reveals. It is in the region that they live and work “for several years”, they say.

In addition to being the couple’s first child, the two Nepalese were also treated to the fact that their son was one of the babies of the year in Portugal, something they “never” imagined and which turned out to be “one of the biggest and best surprises” of their lives.

As a joke, Sanyam Malla’s father asks himself, “from the moment of delivery”, about “what are the chances of what happened”. “It is something very special, without a doubt”, reinforces the mother.

All of us at Safe Communities wish the family good health and prosperity in Portugal.

And to end this first report we congratulate the Castelo do Sonhos family Charity in Silves, who successfully organised the 18th Christmas shoebox for the elderly campaign.

This year over 250 boxes were distributed together with warm clothing and food parcels to the elderly within the Silves Council. The charity even received boxes from as far away as Lagos and were pleased to learn that boxes were also delivered to poor elderly folk in that part of the Algarve.

CdeS would in particular like to thank the following clubs and individuals who helped make Christmas 2022 extra special for all the families registered with the charity: Silves Rotary Club for boxes plus donations for Christmas food, The Algarveans Theatre Group for boxes plus organising, at their Pantomime, a collection for the family Christmas food hampers. Katherine Kuys and her friends who filled and also collected boxes in Central Algarve and a huge thank you to Nada and “The Moonlighters”- a very productive Portimão social group.

 

The Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 21st December 2022

by Mike Evans

Good day to all our followers in the Algarve on this last report before the Christmas Holidays. For many the talking point has been the weather and the large amount of rain that has fallen in the past couple of weeks. The reservoirs are filling up and are now at 72% of what is required nationally but according to the APA, the water situation in the Algarve region is currently the most worrying in terms of availabilities, in particular Barlavento, where Bravura and Odelouca stand out, with very low levels of recovery, in particular Bravura which recorded additional storage of just 0.3 hm3 since the beginning of the hydrological year, on October 1st.

 Across the region the temperatures are due to remain in the late teens for the rest of the month with nights staying quite mild so a good opportunity to visit all the various Christmas festivities that are happening across the region.

In the region this past week we can report the following arrests occurred.

25,000 euros and cocaine seized in house searches

The Public Security Police (PSP) seized on Friday, December 16, 25 thousand euros and 60 individual doses of cocaine during two house searches in the municipality of Faro , announced the security force.

Through the Criminal Investigation Squadron of the Faro Police Division, the seizure took place during the execution of two house search warrants at the residences of three suspects of various crimes such as aggravated homicide.

Several weighing and packaging materials for the narcotic product were also seized, which were found inside the suspects’ residences, one of them possessing several firearms, and a tactical team from the Special Operations Group of the Special Police Unit of the PSP.

This was a joint operation between the PSP, the Judiciary Police and the National Republican Guard, with the three suspects being accused and detained for presentation to the Judiciary Authority.

Man arrested while trying to steal a car

The Territorial Command of Faro , through the Territorial Post of Almancil, this Tuesday detained a 38-year-old man red-handed for stealing a vehicle, in Almancil, in the municipality of Loulé.

As part of a complaint for the theft of a vehicle, the GNR military carried out investigations that culminated in the identification of the individual and the location of the stolen vehicle, which was next to the suspect’s dwelling.

Following the action, the man was arrested for theft of the vehicle, and a vehicle was seized; a mobile phone; a computer and a wallet with personal documents.

The detainee, with a criminal record for offences of the same nature, was made a defendant and the facts were communicated to the Judicial Court of Loulé.

Algarve singer Claudisabel dies in Car Crash

The Algarve singer Claudisabel died in the early hours of this Monday, December 19, in a car accident that occurred on the A2, near Alcácer do Sal.

The death of Cláudia Isabel Leiria Madeira was confirmed through the official Facebook page of the artist from Loulé , who had participated on Sunday, December 18, in the SIC television program, “Domingão”, in Castanheira de Pêra.

The accident between two light vehicles took place around 01:55, at kilometre 85 of that road, still resulting in a slight injury.

The artist’s car overturned after the collision, with rescue operations having to carry out extrication and advanced rescue work.

At the accident site, 12 vehicles and 24 operators were present, including the Alcácer do Sal, Brisa and National Republican Guard firefighters.

The singer’s death was declared on the spot by the doctor of the Medical Emergency and Resuscitation Vehicle of the Hospital do Litoral Alentejano, in Santiago do Cacém, with the body later being transported to the morgue of this hospital unit.

The Portuguese popular music singer was 40 years old, with a career that began in 1995 and which accumulated some hits such as “Não Vou Voltar a Chorar”, “Super Apaixonada”, “Está Tudo Acabado”, “Condenada” and “Sabe Semper a Little”.

In 2002 she participated in the reality show “Big Brother Famosos”, on TVI. Our condolences go to all her family and friends.

Man’s body found floating  off Vilamoura Marina

The authorities recovered this Friday the body of a man off the coast of the Vilamoura marina (Loulé), but do not know the causes and circumstances of death, announced the National Maritime Authority ( AMN ).

The body was seen “floating off the marina” in the Algarve coastal town by a member of the public, who alerted the authorities at 11:21 am, and elements from the Faro Maritime Police Local Command and the Faro Maritime Station were called to help. Quarteira lifeguards , explained AMN in a statement.

The same source clarified that the Quarteira Lifeguard Station team rescued the body ashore, where it was possible to verify that it was a male person “with several abrasions in the abdominal area and a deep puncture in the chest area”, revealed the same source. The Health Delegate went to the place where the death was declared, and the Public Ministry and the Judiciary Police took over the investigation and carried out “due diligence” to be able to clarify the case, the Maritime Authority also said. The body was taken to the Institute of Legal Medicine in Faro.

Operation Palangre: Five suspects arrested for aggravated homicide

The Judiciary Police (PJ) suspects that the murder of a man, on December 2, in the municipality of Faro , by five suspects arrested this Friday, was a “settling of accounts” related to “trafficking and consumption narcotics”.

“It could be an unresolved issue” or “a reckoning” related to “drug trafficking and consumption”, said the director of the Southern Directorate of the PJ, Fernando Girão, in a clarification session to the press that took place this afternoon in Faro.

The head of that security force in the Algarve said that the fatal victim, aged 35, belonged to the well-known motorcycle group Hells Angels, the same not being the case of the five suspects arrested.The PJ detained four men and one woman, aged between 35 and 48, suspected of “qualified homicide”, with a firearm, of a man, in the municipality of Faro, revealed this morning that security force.

According to a statement, “the crime took place on the night of December 2, 2022, in a remote location in the Algarve mountains, to which the victim was taken, under duress, by the suspects”.

Fernando Girão explained that the victim was “forcefully transported” to the place where he was found lifeless, by people, on December 4, two days after he was killed in a “very violent” way with “two shots , one on the head and the other on the neck.

“As soon as the judicial authority requests it,the five suspects will be brought before a judge,” said the regional director of the PJ, adding that the legal deadline for this to happen, at most, is 48 hours after the arrest.

In the operation called “Palangre”, the PJ’s Southern Directorate arrested the four men and one woman in compliance with arrest warrants issued by the Faro Department of Investigation and Penal Action, for “strong indications of the crime of aggravated homicide”. , which took place in the municipality of Faro.

That security force reports in the communiqué released at the end of today’s morning that, as a result of the investigation carried out, which had the collaboration of the commands of the National Republican Guard (GNR) and the Public Security Police (PSP) of Faro, Five house searches were carried out this morning, “six firearms were seized, relevant evidence elements and the aforementioned arrests were carried out”.

Following the investigation, it was found that the victim, a 35-year-old man, “was fatally shot by the suspects, individuals with a history of particularly violent crime”.

The PJ indicates that “the crime was motivated by disputes regarding drug trafficking and consumption, having been consummated using a firearm”.

The victim was subject to the coercive measure of obligation to stay in the house under electronic surveillance, having been absent from the residence about two weeks before being murdered, and has been sought by the authorities since that date.

And Finally can I take this opportunity to wish all our Algarve followers a very Happy Christmas and Stay Safe.

 

Madeira Situation Report Wednesday 21st December 2022

by Daniel Fernandes

Traffic restrictions due to Athletics Race

There will some traffic restrictions in Funchal on December 22nd, from 20h00 to 21h30, due to the athletics race (“X Grande Prémio Arca D’Ajuda”) that will be taking place. These restrictions will be in the following areas:

– Rua do Vale da Ajuda

– Caminho dos Piornais

– Rua dos Piornais

– Praça da Assicom

– Avenida Mário Soares (on the way up between Praça da Assicom and Rua dos Piornais)

– Rua do Amparo

– Rampa dos Piornais

– Caminho do Amparo

– Rua Velha da Ajuda

– Rua João Paulo II

– Rua da Casa Branca (on the stretch between Travessa do Valente and Rua João Paulo II)

– Travessa do Valente

– Estrada Monumental (on the stretch between Travessa do Valente and Praça da Assicom)

The Police (PSP) will be in charge of the restrictions and may allow vehicles to be driven on the road junctions if it is safe to do so. Drivers are asked to comply with the relevant road signs and with the instructions given by police officers.

Changes in bus services during “Noite do Mercado”

Horários do Funchal (Madeira bus company) announced that on December 23rd, the bus services available will have the same timetable that is applicable on weekdays. However, there will some changes at the start and end of some services. These are some of the changes:

– Bus services 05 and 05A (Carreira 05 and Carreira 05A) will be operated until 17h00.

– Bus service 42 (Carreira 42) will be operated through Rua 31 de Janeiro.

– Bus service number 2 (Carreira 02) will be operated every 30 minutos from 23h30 until 02h00 (December 24th).

– Bus services that were not mentioned will depart from the usual bus stops.

Some changes will start from 19h00 due to “Noite do Mercado”. Travelers are advised to the check the company’s Facebook page and website.

On the map that is available on the website shown below, “Terminal de Chegada/Partida” means “Point of Arrival/Departure”.

Tourist train back in São Vicente

The tourist train is be back in the Municipality of São Vicente, as part of a tour of nativity scenes (Cribs Route – Rota dos Presépios). Visitors will be able to travel on this train on January 7th and 8th, January 14th and 15th, and January 21st and 22nd). Each train will depart at 19h00 in São Vicente and its arrival will be at around 21h00. Fares can be purchased onboard the train and will cost €5. Children up to the age of 5 will be able to travel free of charge.

Portuguese Air Force airlifted patient from Spain

On December 18th, the Portuguese Air Force airlifted two patients for urgent hospital treatment. The first patient was airlifted from Spain to the Madeira archipelago. This was a rare event in which a patient was airlifted from Spain to Portugal. On the way back, the Air Force airlifted a patient from Madeira to the Mainland.

 

 

 

 

Portugal Situation Report Wednesday 21st December 2022 

Good morning – I thought I would devote this introduction to crime prevention, as although it is a season to be jolly with the approach to Christmas (just 4 days away), it is also a time when criminals have their own way of celebrating. So let’s make it a Christmas for criminals to remember by taking simple and easy precautions that protect your home and therefore reduce the opportunities for them to celebrate.

The majority of burglaries are committed by opportunists. In the majority of cases, the culprits gain access through the rear of the property.  Very few burglaries lead to violence and the contents most sought after are cash, electronic equipment, especially computers, gold and other metal items

In terms of opportunist property crime the most frequent means of access is through open windows when the property is unoccupied. There is a simple message here spend 5 minutes before going out checking that windows and doors are closed and locked, lights switch on if at night time, cars locked if kept in a driveway or open car port.

It is important to create the impression that a property is occupied when in fact it is not. The majority of burglars do not want to be confronted by occupants for obvious reasons. Ways to create this impression are to use timers on lights and even radios, which can be set at variable times over an extended period. If the house is unoccupied over a longer period, then register it as an empty property though the GNR or PSP websites or by visiting your local police station and completing a simple pro-forma.

A neighbour visiting your home just two to three times a week, drawing curtains and moving a car in a driveway are good ways of creating a “lived in impression” as well as checking everything is OK. Return the gesture when they are away.

If you are going to be absent for a time, do not advertise the fact on social media. Posting holiday snaps to the world is a giveaway. Even in Facebook groups there are those who monitor these sites to check for opportunities, when the property maybe vacant. Related to this is posting your personal details on social media. I recall a person in the Algarve who displayed his driving licence on Facebook; an open invitation for identity theft.

During the Christmas period it is always nice to receive presents or go out and purchase something new such as a TV set or laptop etc. Take care when disposing of the packaging especially at the rubbish bins, that no receipts are left inside and your name and address is not visible on the outside of the parcel.

If you are away for some time, ensure that mail does not build up in your post box. This is a sure sign that your property is unoccupied. Ask a neighbour or friend to collect mail from the box regularly.

Our team at Safe Communities Portugal thank you for your support and wish you and your family a Very Safe and happy Christmas and New Year.

News

MAI announces that SEF restructuring will take place by March 2023

Lisbon, 20 Dec 2022 (Lusa) – The Minister of Internal Administration announced today that the restructuring of the SEF will take place during the first quarter of next year and rejected that it is about the extinction of a security service.

“We are talking about restructuring, even from a legal point of view, we should talk about restructuring the SEF, because the skills and people who have these skills will continue to work in the internal security system. What is expected is that in the first quarter of 2023 we will have the conditions for this transition to take place”, José Luís Carneiro told journalists.

The minister was speaking after the National Republican Guard, the Public Security Police, the Foreigners and Borders Service and the Judiciary Police signed four protocols that establish the model of cooperation between the security forces and services within the framework of the restructuring of the Portuguese control system of borders.

The signing of these protocols marks the beginning of the transfer of police powers to the GNR, PSP and PJ within the scope of the restructuring of the SEF.

“The security forces are now able to cooperate in police terms to ensure security and integrated border management, with a view to creating a common work culture, as happened during the summer between the PSP and the SEF”, explained José Luís Carneiro.

As part of the restructuring of the SEF, which was postponed until the creation of the Portuguese Agency for Migration and Asylum (APMA), the police competences of the Aliens and Borders Service will pass to the PSP, GNR and PJ, while the current attributions in terms of Administrative responsibility for foreign citizens will now be exercised by the APMA and the Institute of Registries and Notaries.

The restructuring of the SEF was decided by the previous Government and approved by the Assembly of the Republic in November 2021, having already been postponed twice.

Road Safety Authority warns of fraudulent emails with alleged traffic fines

Notifications of fines are sent only by mail and no indication of these emails should be followed, warns the Road Safety Authority.

The Road Safety Authority warns that fraudulent emails are being sent with alleged traffic fines taken by radar.

This entity clarifies that it only sends notifications by mail and that no indication of these emails should be followed. In addition to containing the image of the Road Safety Authority, some of these emails also have the image of the GNR and the PSP.

This is a phishing scam with the aim of obtaining data. If you have received any of this type of email and have questions, you should contact the Road Safety Authority.

2023 could be one of the hottest years ever

Experts estimate that 2023 will be the 10th consecutive year that global temperatures are at least 1°C above pre-industrial levels (between 1850 and 1900). Forecasts indicate that they are around 1.2ºC higher.

The year with the highest average global temperature since the second half of the 19th century is 2016, when the “El Niño” phenomenon was recorded in the Pacific Ocean (increase in sea temperature, leading to an increase in global temperatures).

In recent years, the opposite phenomenon has occurred, explains SKY News that is “El Niña”, with the water temperature dropping. However, and according to British meteorologists, the climate model indicates that next year an increase in temperature is expected in parts of the Pacific Ocean.

“This change will likely make the global temperature in 2023 warmer than in 2022.”

Even so, one of those responsible for the UK meteorology service, Adam Scaife, considers that 2023 will not surpass the record set for 2016.

“Without an ‘El Niño’ precedent for increasing global temperatures, 2023 may not be a record year, but with global greenhouse gas emissions rising at a rapid pace, it is likely to be another remarkable year,” he said. Scaife to Sky News.

For 2022, experts had predicted that the global temperature would be between 0.97°C and 1.21°C above pre-industrial levels. Data up to October, according to Sky News, suggest that the global average temperature is about 1.16°C above the pre-industrial era.

 

Azores Situation Report Wednesday 21st December 2022

From our colleague in the Azores

Covid-19 

In the seven days from Friday 9th December until Thursday the 15th of December there were 87 new positive cases of Covid-19 registered in the Azores, and a total of 1,539 tests performed. 53 people have recovered, no new deaths have been recorded in the last week with the total still at 120. There are 116 active cases, 34 more than the previous week.

There are 4 patients in the region’s hospitals as of 16th of December with Covid, all of which are in hospital because of Covid. There are no patients in the ICU.

121766 people in the region have had Covid, that’s over 50% of the population.

Western and Central Azores groups under yellow warning due to rain and sea unrest 

The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA) has placed the islands of the Western and Central group of the Azores under yellow warning due to “sometimes heavy” rain and maritime agitation, between this Tuesday and Thursday this week.

Foreigner dies on Porto Formoso beach 

Last Saturday, two foreign women were dragged into the sea, and one was unable to save herself. A sixty-year-old woman was taken lifeless from sea

“What I can say is that people were walking along the seashore – two ladies and the son of one of them – and the two ladies in their sixties were dragged by the sea”, the port captain explained.  “The south coast was the one with the most unfavourable conditions and we advised against their proximity, however, even on the north coast the winter sea is very strong, and the ladies were inadvertently swept away, when they least expected it, to the sea”.

It was the son of one of the ladies who went to ask for help at a commercial establishment located on Praia dos Moinhos, and it was the owner and employee of the establishment who provided first aid to the victim and called 112, revealed commander Rafael Silva.

Following this alert, the Maritime Police and the firefighters from Ribeira Grande went to the scene to continue the assistance that was being provided.

But the victim, when she reached the shore, was already in cardiac arrest, and the resuscitation manoeuvres carried out without success continued when the firefighters arrived at the beach, and throughout the journey to the hospital in Ponta Delgada, and “the death would be declared in the hospital”, explained the harbour master.

Azores break record for cruise ship calls 

With the arrival of the cruise ship ‘Arcadia’ owed by P&O at the port of Ponta Delgada, São Miguel, The Azores broke the record for the most ships visiting in one year.  Over 200 dockings have been recorded so far.

 

Azores Situation Report Wednesday 14th December 2022

From our colleague in the Azores

Covid-19 

In the seven days from Friday 2nd December until Thursday the 8th of December there were 44 new positive cases of Covid-19 registered in the Azores, and a total of 1,331 tests performed. 75 people have recovered, no new deaths have been recorded in the last week with the total at 120. There are 82 active cases, 31 fewer than the previous week.

There are 7 patients in the region’s hospitals as of 9th of December with Covid, two of which are in hospitalbecause of Covid. There are no patients in the ICU.

121679 people in the region have had Covid, that’s over 50% of the population.

Government of the Azores ensures that space port in Santa Maria advances in 2023 

The undersecretary of the Presidency of the Government of the Azores, Pedro Faria e Castro, assured that the project for the construction of a space port on the island of Santa Maria will advance in 2023.

Azores register an increase in dependencies among young people 

The Azores have seen an increase in dependence on psychoactive substances among younger generations, especially on the island of São Miguel.

The Azores have unfortunately had very high numbers in terms of consumption of psychoactive substances. The new psychoactive substances have a very big impact in the region.

Clélio Meneses said that “prevention” is the executive’s main focus but acknowledged that there is also a need for intervention in treatment, risk reduction and damage minimization, appealing to the collaboration of society as a whole.

“We need everyone’s involvement in prevention, but also in ending the stigmatization of this type of situation because, in addition to the painfulness of the immediate and direct consequences of consumption, there is another added painfulness of stigmatization and social exclusion”, he stressed.

 

 

Portugal Situation Report Wednesday 14th December 2022

Good morning – Not surprisingly the main focus of this week’s report is the weather and the flooding and damage caused in many parts of the mainland.

The good news amongst all this is that there were few injuries and those that did occur were mainly minor. The amount of rain has been considerable particularly in the Lisbon area and other areas such as Portalegre.

Yesterday morning the ANEPC reported over one thousand occurrences and more than 30% (328) in the Lisbon district”. Most occurrences are registered in “flooded buildings, overflow of water lines, in Loures, Algés, with 449 floods. On top of from 21:00 on Monday until 16:00 today, 538 occurrences due to bad weather occurred as reported by Lisbon Firefighters.

These figures will certainly be revised, but it can be concluded from this that the all the warnings from the IPMA and alerts and notifications to the population from the ANEPC helped save life and property. It is essential that people understand the risks of such intense and heavy rain and the impact it can cause. Knowing the risks and impacts helps people be prepared by reducing the risks through taking the appropriate actions as advised by the authorities.

In this case apart from the normal advice by the ANEPC, there was advice by various authorities including the President of IPMA to only travel if your journey is really necessary certainly in areas most affected by the bad weather. This was sound advice as apart from reducing the number of people potentially at risk, it reduces the work of the emergency workers who have worked literally 24/7 to deal with the occurrences over the last week or so.

Hopefully the scenes from social media will send a signal for the days, weeks and months ahead that taking the proper precautions is the “cool” thing to do! In this regards I once again highlight the advice not to drive through flooded waters, except if there is no option available, and only then at a slow speed.

The other risk is that of landslides which there were several today one engulfing a car north of Lisbon. Slopes have been saturated with the heavy rain after a long dry spell, especially where the soil has been burned during fires. Take specially care and be on the lookout for slopes that appear unstable and/or debris and mud on the road.

Another impact of course was the disruption to the transport network as well as some rail transport, particularly in Lisbon district. We therefore stress the importance of checking with transport operators before starting your journey, as this avoids people congregating at transport stations, wasted journeys and the risk of being stranded in a flood. We thank all those workers who tried in difficult conditions to get the transport flowing again as soon as was possible.

Although at the time of writing this introduction there are no rain warnings in place, the first time for some days, this does not mean the flooding has stopped. As reported last night by the Captaincy of Porto, there is a possibility that today floods could occur on the Douro River in Régua and that on Wednesday, towards the end of the afternoon, the river would reach the banks in Porto. Other rivers at risk of overflowing were highlighted contained in our Facebook post. We recommend therefore that those of you living close to rivers monitor the situation closely and listen to the news and local updates in particular.

With all that please monitor the weather over the next few days and we will disseminate updates, information and advice, so please follow this page for the latest developments.

I thank my colleagues Fernanda and Susan for their help in keeping people posted during this period.

Have a safe week

News

Four Arrested for Hundreds of “MBWay Scams”

Three men and one woman were arrested on suspicion of crimes of qualified fraud, computer and communications fraud, computer fraud, illegitimate access and money laundering. In the last two years hundreds of “MBWay” scams have been committed.

As of 2020, suspects set up an elaborate scheme that allowed them to gain access to hundreds of victims’ bank accounts. They responded to sales advertisements on “online” platforms and were predisposed to make payments through MBWay. If victims had MBWay, they would make up an excuse and walk away from the business. If they didn’t have it, they were convinced to join the system.

They pretended to help sellers to register, but, in reality, “cunningly, they induced victims to provide direct access to bank accounts by associating a mobile phone number in the possession of the authors, to provide card data, to give orders to requests sending money or sending withdrawal codes”.

With this method, they will have managed to access hundreds of bank accounts, making movements to withdraw funds whose value has not yet been fully determined, explains the PJ in a statement.

This Tuesday, the Judicial Police Centre carried out an action in Monforte, Castelo Branco, Loures and Lisbon, which resulted in the arrest of four suspects: three men and a woman aged between 20 and 35 years whilst caught in the act. Articles and data related to the commission of crimes were seized, in particular the identification of bank accounts, hundreds of cell phone calls to the victims, dozens of cards and cell phones.

Former vice-president of the European Parliament and other suspects had more than 1.5 million at home

Police have found more than 1.5 million euros in cash in the homes of former Vice-President of the European Parliament (EP) Eva Kaili and former Italian MP Pier Antonio Panzeri, sources from the Belgian Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office said on Tuesday.

Investigators found around 600,000 euros in Panzeri’s house, while the rest of the money was found in the house of Eva Kaili and her husband Francesco Giorgi, as well as in the hands of the father of the former vice-president of the EP, judicial sources confirmed to the Spanish agency EFE.

Panzeri, Kaili and Giorgi, against whom an arrest warrant was issued by investigating judge Michel Claise, as well as a fourth person detained in the same case, are due to appear before the Brussels court on Wednesday, which will decide whether they should remain under custody, reported Le Soir.

The so-called ” Qatargate ” case , allegedly involving favors to the country hosting the world football championship, has so far resulted in Kaili being accused of participating in a criminal organization, money laundering and corruption.

According to Belgian media, the judge charged European Parliament adviser Francesco Giorgi and Brussels lobbyist and former Italian MP Pier Antonio Panzeri with the same crimes.

The socialist Eva Kaili, 44 years old, was removed this Tuesday from the position of vice-president of the EP by the plenary, after her arrest at the weekend was known.

Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 14th December 2022

by Mike Evans

A very good day to you all with the news that the rains seem to have ceased for the moment and as we get closer to Christmas it seems that Santa has been giving the public workers at Albufeira Council an early present of an extra day off when it is their birthday! More on this story below.

Continuing the season of giving gifts, the Government has also decided to allow all public workers the days of the 23rd and the 30th December as holidays.The Government has decided to grant time off on the 23rd and 30th of December to workers who carry out public functions in the State, according to an order already signed by the Prime Minister, António Costa.

“One-off tolerance is granted to workers who perform public functions in the services of the direct administration of the State, whether central or decentralised, and in public institutes on the next 23 and 30 December 2022”, refers to the dispatch.

In this dispatch, the prime minister justifies the point tolerance by the fact that it is “traditional for many people to travel outside their places of residence during the Christmas and New Year period with a view to holding family reunions”.

António Costa then refers to “the practice that has been followed over the years” and “the existing tradition in the sense of granting time off, at this time, in non-essential public services”.

In relation to these two days of time off, in the diploma it is noted that “except services and bodies that, for reasons of public interest, must remain in operation during that period, in terms to be defined by the competent member of the Government ”.

“Without prejudice to the continuity and quality of the service to be provided, the top managers of the services and bodies referred to in the previous number must promote the equivalent waiver of the duty of attendance of the respective workers, on a day to be set in due course”, it adds.

Here are some more stories that you may have missed in the past two weeks.

Albufeira Council gives Workers the Day off for their Birthdays

The 7th of December was marked by the Collective Signature of a Public Employer Entity between the municipality of Albufeira and four civil service workers’ unions, which provides for the dismissal from work on the birthday.

The action took place in the Main Hall of the Town Hall and was attended by the mayor , José Carlos Rolo, and councillors Ricardo Clemente and Cláudia Guedelha, representing the public employer, and representatives of three unions: STAL, STFPSSRA and SINTAP.

The respective agreements, which will come into force on the first working day following their publication in the Diário da República, aim to regulate the functions performed by workers and the employer. This time, the agreements highlight overtime work, the annual limit on the duration of overtime work, the vacation period , dismissals and justified absences, the municipal holiday and time off during Carnival, and the inclusion of workers’ birthday dismissal.

José Carlos Rolo stated that “the municipality’s concern for workers is constant, so the attribution of the birthday waiver benefit present in this agreement was a unanimous decision”.

Cláudia Guedelha, councillor of the City Council and responsible for Human Resources, referred that “the unions, as well as human resources, are an internal concern”, further emphasise that “it is a priority for the municipality to attend to all employers and make sure that there is well-being in the workplace”.

The unions present took the opportunity to thank and recognize the municipality for its effort and commitment during the process of agreements. Carlos Cabral, from SINTAP, congratulated the municipality for the “effort to value workers’ rights”, while Teresa Garcês, from STFPSSRA, said she hoped for “continuity of dialogue’ ‘ between all parties. Bruno Luz, from STAL, thanked for the “cooperation”, explaining that getting the day off on a birthday without loss of pay “was one of the biggest demands and for a long time”, for which “we can well say that it was a victory of the workers”.

Over 230 Occurrences due to the heavy rains in the Algarve

The bad weather that has hit the south of the country since Sunday, December 4th, has caused over 230 incidents to be registered by the Algarve Regional Emergency and Civil Protection Command.

The eastern Algarve was the most affected area, namely the municipality of Faro with 92 occurrences, followed by Tavira with 17, Loulé 14, Albufeira 13, Vila Real de Santo António 11, São Brás de Alportel and Olhão 10, Alcoutim 8, Castro Marim 4, Lagoa, Monchique and Silves 2 and Lagos and Portimão 1.

All of these occurrences recorded due to precipitation and wind had the intervention of a total of 410 operators, supported by 168 fire engines, Municipal Civil Protection Services, City Councils, Parish Councils and municipal companies.

Wednesday night was marked by heavy rain that fell in the eastern Algarve, with records of flooding in Monte Gordo, Hortas, Vila Real de Santo António and Castro Marim, which suffered with showers of 45 litres per m2 in just one hour.

In the municipality of Vila Real de Santo António, the municipality, the Municipal Civil Protection Service, the firefighters of Vila Real de Santo António, security forces, members of the Parish Councils and the company Ecoambiente were present throughout the night and into the early morning. the heavy rainfall situation and responded to various emergency situations and occurrences.

To minimise damages and losses, the municipality has permanently placed teams abroad to monitor all occurrences.

All districts on the mainland are under yellow warning due to the forecast of sometimes heavy rain, which may be accompanied by thunder and strong gusts of wind. A  vehicle that was dragged by the current last weekend on the river beach of Ribeira de Cadavais, in Alcoutim , was removed from the Guadiana river on Wednesday, November 7, announced the National Maritime Authority.

The car was removed by a team of divers from the Vila Real de Santo António Firefighters, a team from the Volunteer Firefighters, Civil Protection and Alcoutim City Council.

According to the National Maritime Authority, the vehicle was in a part of the river that constituted a danger to navigation, having been removed to land after buoyancy and towing work by elements of the Vila Real de Santo António Lifeguard Station. Due to the steep slope of the site, it was necessary to use a backhoe machine from the Civil Protection and Alcoutim City Council.

There were also elements of the Local Command of the Maritime Police of Vila Real de Santo António.

The owner of the vehicle was notified to present a plan to remove the vehicle from the site and the operation was coordinated by the Port Captain and Local Commander of the Maritime Police of Vila Real de Santo António.

Maritime Police seize 280 kilos of drugs on the Vicentine coast

Elements of the Lagos Maritime Police Local Command seized on Monday, December 5th, eight bundles of narcotics with a total of around 280 kilos of hashish, announced the National Maritime Authority.

The apprehension took place during a patrolling action south of the Vicentine coast, when several suspicious packages were detected on the sand of a beach.

The security forces immediately went to the location and confirmed that they were bales, which were promptly seized.The seized drug was later handed over to the Judiciary Police and the Lagos Maritime Police Local Command took care of the incident.

Two arrested for vehicle theft in São Bartolomeu de Messines

A man and a woman were arrested this Wednesday, November 30, for theft of a vehicle in São Bartolomeu de Messines , in the municipality of Silves , announced the National Republican Guard.

After a report of theft inside a vehicle, the military went to the scene, noting that the 40-year-old man and the 37-year-old woman were trying to steal a car.

It was also possible to establish that the suspects had already stolen a vehicle in the Salir area, in the municipality of Loulé, which was abandoned in São Bartolomeu de Messines.

GNR seizes 809 bottles of nitrous oxide on the A22

The National Republican Guard (GNR) seized on Friday, December 2nd, on motorway 22 ( A22 ), near Tavira , 809 bottles of nitrous oxide inside a heavy vehicle from Spain, and identified two men.

In a statement, the Faro Territorial Command of the GNR specified that the seizure of the product, with an estimated value of 55 thousand euros, resulted from a surveillance operation at the land border next to the International Bridge in Castro Marim, together with the Guardia Civil de Spain.

The investigation was initiated based on information from the Police and Customs Cooperation Center of Castro Marim (Portugal) and Ayamonte (Spain) and the exchange of information with the Spanish police authorities, advanced the guard.

GNR arrests two suspects for drug trafficking in Alcantarilha

The National Republican Guard (GNR) arrested on Wednesday, December 7th, in Alcantarilha , in the municipality of Silves , two men suspected of drug trafficking and seized 495 individual doses of drugs.

In a statement, the Faro Territorial Command of the GNR indicated that the two men, aged 30 and 36, were the occupants of a vehicle approached by the military because they suspected their involvement in a drug trafficking situation.

Following the operation, the military seized 430 doses of heroin, 65 of ‘crack’, the vehicle, telecommunications equipment and 200 euros, said the security force.The detainees will be present at the Silves court to be heard in the first judicial interrogation and application of any coercive measures.

And finally the biggest nativity scene in the country is back and was inaugurated on Wednesday, November 30, at the António Aleixo Cultural Centre, in Vila Real de Santo António , announced the municipality.

This year, the initiative once again breaks records with the use of 5700 pieces, some of them made from scratch by the authors, placed over 240 square metres. For something a little bit different to the usual nativity scenes, Lagoa has the statues returning on the 16th and 17th December.In this year’s edition, 16 masters of the art of immobility, divided into 14 artistic paintings, will embody characters based on different themes, such as the living nativity scene, mythology, the great personalities of history and religion, in a journey that will extend through Rua Coronel Figueiredo, Rua 25 de Abril and Largo 5 de Outubro.

In this edition, two events will be highlighted: the celebration of the centenary of the birth of José Saramago (1922-2022) and the 25th anniversary of the death of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, which will be marked with two living statues.

As usually happens, the living statues will be subject to two votes: one by visitors and another by a jury, where visitors will be able to vote for their favourite statue.

At the end of the event there will be a prize for the best statue, chosen by the public, and another prize for the best statue, chosen by the jury.

This event, a pioneer in the south of Portugal, already has eight editions in the city of Lagoa, aims to “disseminate and dignify artistic creation in this unique performing art, and simultaneously animate the centre of Lagoa and boost local commerce in the middle of the Christmas season”, he says. the municipality in a statement.

On Friday, December 16th, you can visit the Living Statues between 3 pm and 6 pm. On Saturday, December 17th, you can visit the Living Statues between 10am and 1pm.

 

Madeira Situation Report Wednesday 7th November 2022

Urban cleaning personnel to clear rain gutters

As a result of weather warnings on Tuesday, the Municipality of Funchal cancelled all scheduled urban cleaning work, and sent all the relevant employees to clear rain gutters across Funchal. It is hoped this will help prevent flooding across the city.

More than 12,000 grams of psychoactive substances apprehended by the PSP

The PSP (Public Security Police) has so far apprehended  more than 12,000 grams of psychoactive substances, and opened 97 investigations related to the trafficking and consumption of such substances.

TAP cabin crew strike

TAP cabin crew will go on strike on December 8th and 9th. As a result, hundreds of TAP flights have been cancelled. However, a court ruled that TAP must operate at least 2 daily return flights to the Autonomous Region of Madeira during the days when the strike will take place.

New flight routes to Madeira

Wizz Air started operated flights between Funchal and Vienna airports on December 3rd. It will operate a weekly flight during the Winter season.

easyJet started operating flights between Funchal Airport and Milan-Malpensa Airport on December 4th. This will provide tourists from Italy with another option when flying to Madeira. It is scheduled to operate 2 weekly flights, on Sundays and Mondays.

Christmas lights in Funchal

Funchal’s traditional Christmas lights have now been switched on. A video and some photos can be watched on the following links:

Water supply disruption in São Roque

The Municipality of Funchal informed there will be a water supply disruption on Friday, November 9th, from 09h00 to 12h00, as a result of scheduled work on the water supply network in the São Roque area. A full list of all the areas affected is available on the following website: