The Algarve Report Wednesday 21 June 2023

by Mike Evans

With the IPMA releasing a report showing the drought  situation worsened in mainland Portugal in the month of May, with the entire mainland in drought, 35% of which in severe and extreme drought, The Algarve municipalities put forward plans to reduce the amount of water we all use. At the same time we are told that temperatures in the South are due to rise further with a possible maximum of 42 degrees in some areas. according to meteorologist Maria João Frada. Speaking to Lusa, the meteorologist from the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA) said that the rise in temperatures will be “very significant”, above average for the time of year, and should remain at least until the 27th of June.

The climate bulletin of the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA) for the month of May states that there has been an increase in the area in drought, with the entire territory in a situation of meteorological drought.

The IPMA highlights the increase in the moderate drought class in the North and Center regions, in the South region and some places in the Tagus Valley in the severe and extreme drought classes and the decrease in the extreme drought class and increase in the severe drought class. “At the end of May, 35% of the territory was in severe and extreme drought (26% and 9% respectively) affecting especially the areas of Vale do Tejo, Alentejo and Algarve”, explains that institute.

According to IPMA, 25.3% of the territory is in mild drought, 39.4% in moderate drought, 26.3% in severe drought and 8.9% in extreme drought. The bulletin specifies, “the regions of Vale do Tejo, Baixo Alentejo and Algarve stand out with percentage values ​​of water in the soil below 10%, which in some places are already equal to the wilting point level permanent”.

The IPMA also indicates that the month of May in mainland Portugal was classified as very hot in terms of air temperature and very dry in terms of precipitation, having been the eighth hottest May since 1931.

The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere underlines that, of the 10 warmest months of May, seven occurred after 2000. The maximum air temperature in May was the tenth highest since 1931 with an average value of 24.55 degrees centigrade, almost four degrees above normal, while the minimum temperature was the seventh highest since 2000 with an average value of 11.84 degrees, 1.34 degrees higher than normal value.

According to the IPMA, the total precipitation in May corresponded to 49% of the normal value, values ​​lower than those of this month occurred in 25% of the years, since 1931. The bulletin also mentions that, during the month of May, the period from 26 to 31 May is highlighted with the occurrence of showers, sometimes heavy, hail and accompanied by thunderstorms, especially in the interior North and Center region. So whatever your plans for the next week or so make sure you are covered and remember to preserve water as much as possible.

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

Maritime Police Arrest Woman Setting a Fire in VRSA

The elements of the Local Command of the Maritime Police of Vila Real de Santo António (VRSA) detained this Thursday afternoon, June 15, a woman in flagrante delicto, while setting fire to it using a lighter in the forest of Monte Gordo , municipality of Vila Real de Santo António.

​Following a complaint “received by a popular person”, the National Maritime Authority informs, in a statement, that “elements of the Local Command of the Maritime Police of Vila Real de Santo António and the Fire Brigade of Vila Real of San Antonio”.

Upon arriving at the scene, members of the Maritime Police “approached a 36-year-old woman who was setting fire to various parts of the forest, using a lighter”.The suspect was detained at the premises of the Local Command of the Maritime Police of Vila Real de Santo António and will be present in court tomorrow, June 16.

The Judiciary Police and the Public Ministry were contacted. The Local Command of the Maritime Police of Vila Real de Santo António took care of the occurrence.

PJ Arrests Suspect of Sexual Abuse of Minors

The Judiciary Police, through the DIC of Portimão , identified and detained a man, aged 48, for the presumed authorship of several crimes of sexual abuse against children, perpetrated since the end of last year, in Portimão, that entity announced today.

The alleged crimes will have been “started when the victim turned 12 years old”, says the PJ in a statement.

“The facts took place in the suspect’s house, in the context of a family relationship of affinity and cohabitation with the victim”, continues the note. The signalling was carried out “at the beginning of this week”, and the PJ carried out “investigative steps that allowed the collection of relevant evidence and which culminated in the arrest of the accused”, can be read in the note.

The detainee will be present at the first judicial interrogation for the application of coercive measures deemed appropriate. The Inquiry is carried out by the Portimão Public Prosecutor’s Office. 

High-Speed Vessel Seized South of the Algarve Coast

The Portuguese Navy and the National Maritime Authority seized on Friday, June 16, in the south of Portugal, a high-speed vessel, linked to drug trafficking, without a crew and with 60 jerricans of fuel .

According to a statement from the Navy, the vessel was found during a joint operation by the two forces that took place in international waters south of the Portuguese coast.

During the operation, movements of “vessels suspected of being related to drug trafficking were monitored”, indicated the Navy. “A high-speed vessel was chased and another with 60 fuel jerry cans inside was found”, specified that branch of the Armed Forces, without indicating whether the chased vessel was boarded and seized.

According to the source, the approaches were carried out by a Maritime Police vessel, two Portuguese Navy ships and a vessel operated by Marines.

The seized vessel was towed to the port of Faro so that investigations could be carried out, concludes the note from the Portuguese Navy.

Unwell Man Assisted on Monte Gordo Beach

A 62-year-old man was helped on the beach of Monte Gordo , in the municipality of Vila Real de Santo António , on the morning of Saturday, June 17, after feeling unwell, announced the National Maritime Authority.

The victim was rescued by elements of the “SeaWatch” project, after receiving the alert at 11:50 am through a popular call.

The project elements immediately went to the site in an Amarok vehicle, having found the victim conscious, indisposed, with low glucose levels and blood pressure values ​​above normal.The European Emergency Number (112) was immediately contacted, thus triggering the Volunteer Firefighters of Vila Real de Santo António, who transported the victim to a hospital unit.

French Man suffers Heart Attack at Beach 

A 69-year-old man of French nationality was assisted on Thursday, the 15th, after allegedly feeling unwell on the sand, going into cardiorespiratory arrest, at Praia da Barrinha, in the municipality of Faro , reported AMN .

“Following an alert received at 11:25 am, via the Lisbon Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC Lisboa), informing that a person was in cardiac arrest on the beach at Barrinha beach, they were immediately activated for the location. elements of the “SeaWatch” project, from the Faro Maritime Police Local Command, as well as elements from INEM and the Humanitarian Association of Volunteer Firefighters of Faro”, says the National Maritime Authority (AMN) in a statement.

The victim was assisted on site by elements of the “SeaWatch” project, in collaboration with elements from INEM, who carried out resuscitation manoeuvres “until the man was stable”. The victim was later transported by members of the Faro Humanitarian Association of Volunteer Firefighters to a hospital.

 

The Algarve Situation Report 14 June 2023

 

by Mike Evans

 

Good day to you all across the Algarve and beyond. Despite the few days of rain we have seen in the past week or so the drought situation is still a very real occurrence as we move into the summer months. This week we saw AMAL, the Intermunicipal Community of the Algarve promoting training actions on reducing water losses in the urban sector, and was aimed at the 19 management entities of the water supply systems in Baixa, more specifically municipalities and municipal companies. The initiative is part of a set of projects that the Intermunicipal Community has been carrying out within the scope of the Algarve Water Efficiency Plan, with the support of the Recovery and Resilience Plan.

This was the second training action promoted by AMAL, and took place in Faro , and is included in a contract established with the National Civil Engineering Laboratory (LNEC), in order to guarantee “the necessary support to the management entities in identifying the problems of management of urban water supply infrastructure, defining strategies to be implemented in the medium and long term, prioritising water supply subsystems and proposing measures to reduce real water losses”, says AMAL in a statement.

The Intermunicipal Community manages one of the various measures that make up the Algarve Water Efficiency Plan. This is Measure SM1 – Reducing water losses in the urban sector, which has an endowment of 35 million euros. In this context, it has been developing other actions, having, also in partnership with LNEC, carried out an in-depth study identifying the areas with the greatest potential for reducing water loss in the region and defining the measures to be taken. This study was completed in March last year and helps “to support the applications submitted by the management entities to benefit from this measure managed by AMAL”, continues the note.

In a first phase of submission of applications, 22 were selected, for an investment of 13.7 million euros, which is allowing “to intervene in 55 kilometres of water supply network in Baixa, with an estimated saving of more than 500 thousand m3 of water to natural systems”, he specifies.

The second Call for submission of applications, with an allocation of seven million euros, is currently in force and runs until the 16th of June, and is directed towards the implementation of Measurement and Control Zones, with the objective “to invest in the monitoring and active control of water losses in sections of the supply network”. According to AMAL, there will also be a third and final Notice of Applications, which is in preparation and should be launched “at the end of this month of June”. It will have an endowment of 14 million euros and will be focused on supporting investment in the renovation and rehabilitation of water supply networks in low waters, with high levels of real losses.

The Algarve Water Efficiency Plan foresees a global investment of 200 million euros, through funds from the PRR, is managed by the Portuguese Environment Agency and involves several entities. AMAL is in charge of implementing Measure SM1, which aims to intervene in 125 kilometres of water supply networks in downtown, contributing to a reduction of water losses in the urban sector of around two million m3.

Lest hope this helps alleviate the problem which could happen over the summer if nothing is done to ease the situation. We will kee you up to date on developments as we receive them.

Now a look at some of the other stories across the Algarve.

 

Navy Detects High-Speed Vessel Off The Algarve Coast

On Monday, the 12th, the frigate D. Francisco de Almeida, while surveying Portuguese territorial waters, detected a vessel “behaving suspiciously”, advanced the Portuguese Navy.

30 fuel jerry cans were also seized, which were dropped into the sea by the seized vessel.

“The material thrown overboard was promptly collected and recovered by the crew of the Navy ship”, can be read in a statement.The elements of the high-speed vessel, “probably related to drug trafficking, took to flight”, adds the Navy note.

9-year-old Boy Seriously Injured After Being Hit By Car

A nine-year-old child was seriously injured after being run over by a light vehicle in Portimão, on Monday, the 12th, said a Civil Protection source.

The alert for the accident was given at 20:17, for the running over of a young man of Brazilian nationality in the city of Portimão, said a source from the Algarve Sub-regional Command.

The child was assisted on site and transported to the Portimão Hospital, he added.On site were the firefighters of Portimão, INEM and PSP, in a total of 17 operational, supported by seven vehicles.

More than 140 Road Traffic Accidents Registered in the Algarve in the last Week Alone

The police authorities recorded 147 accidents on the roads of the Algarve in the last week, between last Monday and Sunday, with only injuries reported, was released today by the GNR .

In a balance of its operational activity in the last week, the Faro Territorial Command of the GNR said, in a statement, that the accidents caused two serious injuries and 25 minor injuries. In terms of road inspection, the GNR arrested 70 people: 21 for driving under the influence of alcohol, 20 for driving without a legal licence and 17 for drug trafficking, detecting a total of 517 offences. According to the GNR, 189 doses of cocaine, 159 of hashish, two shotguns, and seven bottles of nitrous oxide were also seized.

PSP Arrests 2  Men for Aggravated Theft and Drug Trafficking

The Faro District Command of the PSP, through the Criminal Investigation Squadron of the Portimão Police Division, arrested two men, aged 18 and 22, accused of committing the crimes of aggravated theft, payment card abuse and drug trafficking, he said. today that security force .

Following the news of a theft in a residence in Portimão on the afternoon of June 9, the Portimão Criminal Investigation Squadron “immediately started investigative measures”,according to the statement.

“It was found that the two suspects broke into the door of a residence, stealing 400 euros from the interior, as well as several bank cards that they later used to pay for various items in four commercial establishments in Portimão”, continues the note. The two suspects were located “on Saturday morning, the 10th, and 67 doses of hashish and items that had been acquired illicitly with stolen bank cards were seized”, specifies the PSP.

Based on all the evidence collected, the suspects were detained having been caught in the act, through a warrant issued by the Criminal Police Authority.

The detainees will be present for the first judicial interrogation this Monday, for the application of coercive measures considered appropriate while awaiting trial.

Surfer With Head Injuries Helped at Praia de Faro

The elements of the ‘SeaWatch’ project, belonging to the National Maritime Authority ( AMN ), helped on Sunday, the 11th, a surfer who suffered head injuries while practising the activity in Praia de Faro, it was announced today.

The alert was given by elements of the ‘SeaWatch’ project, who were in the area, and elements from the Local Command of the Maritime Police of Faro and elements from INEM immediately went to the place .

The elements of the ‘SeaWatch’ project found that the surfer was conscious, with head injuries, having provided first aid to the victim until the arrival of INEM elements. The victim was stabilised at the scene and transported to a hospital unit by INEM’s Medical Emergency and Resuscitation Vehicle (VMER).

Man Goes into Cardiac Arrest on Alemão Beach

A 57-year-old man of Brazilian nationality was rescued on Sunday afternoon, the 11th, after allegedly feeling ill in the water, going into cardiac arrest, at Praia do Alemão, in the municipality of Portimão, reported AMN .

​Following an alert received at 4:05 pm, by the Portimão Volunteer Firefighters, informing that a man was in cardiac arrest on the beach, elements of the Local Command of the Maritime Police of Portimão, elements of the ‘SeaWatch’ project, as well as members of the Portimão Volunteer Firefighters, INEM and the PSP.

“The victim was found in a prone position in the water, having been removed by lifeguards on duty on the beach with the help of friends of the man. He was promptly assisted by two doctors who were on site, who would start the resuscitation manoeuvres, until the arrival of the elements of the ‘SeaWatch’ project and INEM, who continued the same”, says the National Maritime Authority (AMN) in a statement . “After several attempts, it was possible to revive the victim, with the elements of the ‘SeaWatch’ project transporting the victim off the beach, using the Amarok vehicle, where an ambulance from the Portimão Volunteer Fire Department was waiting, which transported him, in a very serious condition, to a hospital unit”, continues the note.

The Portimão Maritime Police Local Command ensured the security of the area and took care of the occurrence.

Fisherman Dies after Falling from a Cliff in Aljezur

A fisherman died on the 9th, following a fall from a cliff on Monte Clérigo beach, Aljezur municipality , said a Civil Protection source.

The Algarve Sub-regional Command said that the alert for the incident was given at 18:40, for the fall of a man who was fishing on a cliff.

After emergency services arrived, the man’s body was recovered and death was declared on the spot, he added. On site were means of the National Maritime Authority, the Firefighters of Aljezur and GNR, a total of 21 operational, supported by nine vehicles.

High-Speed Boat Seized in Monte Gordo

On the 8th of June, the Coastal Control Unit (UCC) of the National Republican Guard (GNR) seized a high-speed vessel (EAV), measuring 12 metres in length and equipped with three high-power engines, on the beach of Monte Gordo, in the municipality of Vila Real de Santo António , announced that guard.

“After the location of the vessel was identified by the Integrated Surveillance, Command and Control System (SIVICC) of the UCC and the fact that the characteristics of the EAV correspond to those that are usually used in international drug trafficking, a maritime team from the Coastal Control sub-detachment from Vila Real de Santo António that went to the location”, can be read in a statement.

During the police investigations “it was not possible to locate any suspect next to the vessel or in the immediate vicinity, nor material inside it”, says the GNR. The EAV, with significant damage to the structure and engine, was removed from the site and seized.

The facts were communicated to the Judicial Court of Vila Real de Santo António.

Two Arrested and 700 kilos of Hashish Seized on the Algarve Coast

The Portuguese authorities detained two men on a boat off the coast of the Algarve suspected of drug trafficking in an operation in which 700 kilos of hashish were also seized, the Judiciary Police (PJ) announced on June 8 .

According to a statement from the PJ, “the detainees were presented to the competent judicial authority, and are in preventive detention”.

The investigation of this case, which continues under the responsibility of the PJ, began following a rescue mission to the crew of a vessel sailing on the Algarve coast” by the National Maritime Authority (Instituto Socorros a Náufragos and Maritime Police). Once the vessel was located and the “physical integrity of the crew” was ensured, the AMN identified “evidence of a relationship with drug trafficking activity”, and immediately contacted the PJ.

“When establishing the relationship between the two crew members of the vessel, of Spanish nationality, aged between 45 and 48, and the appearance of bales of hashish found floating in the vicinity, in the bar of Armona / Farol, in Olhão , they were arrested on suspicion of committing the crime of drug trafficking,” according to the statement.

The note adds that a semi-rigid vessel of national registration in recreational boating, navigation equipment and other instruments associated with the activity was also seized.

“This action resulted in the seizure of 20 bales of hashish, with a total weight of approximately 700 kilos”, specifies the statement.

 

Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 7th June 2023

 

By Mike Evans

Good Day to you all and in the Algarve this week we have seen a lot of warm weather with the forecast of rain over the next few days. The temperatures are due to remain above the average for the time of year and the UV levels are expected to remain very high so make sure you and any guests you may have with you are well protected.

With the news this week that tourism in the region is now well on the way to equalling the summer of 2019 this means that the roads are beginning to get clogged up especially the N125. With the added factor of possibly very wet roads it is imperative we keep our distance and stick to the speed limits to make sure everyone is safe. We have seen a number of accidents in the last week with one yesterday on the A22 which saw three vehicles involved and four people were taken to hospital, luckily with minor injuries. The same cannot be said however for the motorcyclist who sadly lost his life in a crash near Olhao on Monday.

Here is a more detailed look at these stories and others from around the region in the past week.

Man Dies in Motorcycle Crash in Olhão

A man aged around 40 died this Monday in Olhão, following a collision with the motorcycle he was riding, said a Civil Protection source. A source from the Algarve Sub-regional Command also said that the accident resulted in a slight injury, a woman aged around 40.

The alert for the screening was given at around 7:50 pm and the death of the fatal victim, a man aged around 40, was declared on the spot by the doctor from the Medical Emergency and Resuscitation Vehicle (VMER). There were also firefighters from Olhão, Cruz Vermelha and São Brás de Alportel, a total of 17 elements, supported by seven vehicles.

The GNR took care of the occurrence.

Three Vehicle  Collision Forces Closure of the A22

An accident involving three light vehicles on the A22 (Via do Infante), in the Alcantarilha area, caused four minor injuries on Tuesday 6 June and forced the road to be cut, in the Faro -Portimão direction, Civil Protection reported .

Rescue teams received the alert at around 8:27 am and were helping the injured, who were transported to the hospital, and removing vehicles from the road for more than two and a half hours, with circulation having been restored by 11:05 am, said a source. of the Algarve District Relief Operations Command (CDOS).

“It was an accident at kilometre 40, in the Alcantarilha (Silves) area, towards Faro-Portimão, with three light vehicles and which resulted in four injuries”, said the source, stressing that the victims were transported to the hospital with minor injuries. Providing assistance on site were around 30 operators, with 12 vehicles, including members of the GNR, Silves Firefighters and the National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM), according to Civil Protection.

Two Men  Arrested for Robbery in Portimão

 The Faro District Command of the PSP , through the Criminal Investigation Squadron of the Portimão Police Division, arrested two citizens, aged 21 and 31, for committing the crime of robbery, it was announced today.

“Following the news of a robbery carried out on one of the avenues of the city of Portimão, in the early hours of June 1, the Portimão Criminal Investigation Squadron immediately began investigative measures”, can be read in a statement.

“It was found that two men, through physical aggression and threat with a knife, took a wallet from a citizen, as well as tried to withdraw money from ATMs in the vicinity”, continues the note. After collecting the evidence, which included the collection of images obtained through the CCTV system, installed in the Praia da Rocha area, the two suspects were located “on Friday afternoon,, through a warrant issued by the Criminal Police Authority”, reveals the PSP.

The detainees were present for the first judicial interrogation on Saturday, the 3rd, being applied the coercive measure of periodic presentations at the PSP while awaiting trial.

Woman Seriously Injured by Hit and Run Driver on N125

A collision between two vehicles on National Road (EN) 125 followed by a person being run over, in Vila Nova de Cacela, in the municipality of Vila Real de Santo António , this Monday caused a serious injury, said a Civil Protection source.

A source from the Algarve Regional Emergency and Civil Protection Command said that the victim of the hit-and-run is an 80-year-old woman, transported to the Basic Emergency Service in Vila Real de Santo António.

According to the same source, the EN 125 was closed to traffic in both directions on that section from 08:56. The accident also caused two other victims who at 09:40 were still being assisted and whose health status was not known.

Sixteen operational personnel went to the site, including elements from the Vila Real de Santo António Firefighters, the National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM) and the GNR,  supported by six vehicles.

More than Half a Ton of Hashish Seized in Southern Portugal

The authorities seized on the 2nd June in the early morning, more than half a ton of hashish thrown into the sea by the crew, who fled, from two high-speed vessels in international waters, in the south of Portugal, announced the Portuguese Navy .

Under a joint operation between the National Maritime Authority, the Portuguese Navy and the Portuguese Air Force, suspicious movements of two vessels related to drug trafficking were monitored, which were detected and pursued, the Navy said in a statement.

“During the pursuit, the suspects on board the high-speed boats threw all the narcotic product into the sea, having collected 16 bales of hashish, corresponding to 560 kilos”, reads the note. The operation involved a Navy ship, nautical resources operated by Marines and resources from the National Maritime Authority, operated by the Maritime Police, and an aircraft from the Portuguese Air Force.

The drug was transported to the local command of the Faro Maritime Police and handed over to the Judiciary Police (PJ), in order to carry out the investigation steps.

2.4 tons of Illegally Transported Sardines Seized

The Coastal Control Unit (UCC) of the GNR seized on Thursday, in Portimão , 2.4 tonnes of sardines that were being illegally transported in a vehicle without having gone through the auction, the police corporation announced today.

The seizure was made by the Portimão Coastal Control Sub-detachment and the 2.4 kilos of sardines (sardina pilchardus) were then sold at auction, with the resulting value of the operation being placed “captive to the order of the process”, explained the GNR in a statement .

The security force stressed that the fish was located during an inspection carried out in the fishing port of the Algarve city, aimed at “controlling the rules for capturing, landing and marketing sardines”. During the inspection, the UCC military detected “an infraction for transporting fish outside the auction grounds, in violation of legal norms”, identified the driver of the transport vehicle, a 69-year-old man, and “drafted the respective report of administrative offence”, clarified the GNR.

“The Coastal Control Unit recalls that the capture of the sardine species must be carried out in order to guarantee, in the long term, the environmental, economic and social sustainability of the fishery, in accordance with the guidelines of the national and community entities that monitor the sector”.

Man Arrested who Tried to Steal a Car with Passenger Inside

The judicial authorities ordered the preventive detention of a man who tried to steal a car, threatening the passengers with a gun, in Paderne ( Albufeira ), as well as a house, in the area of ​​Tunes ( Silves ), announced the Public Ministry.

The 71-year-old detainee was accused of two crimes of attempted theft, after failing to complete the theft of the car and its passengers, or the theft of the house, committed with another person and in which the owners were attacked, said the Public Prosecutor’s Office for the district of Faro in a statement.

The Faro district attorney’s office specified that, on “May 19, 2023, at around 3 pm, in a parking lot in the Paderne area, the detainee, armed with a pistol, got into the back seat of a car, where the driver was already there. and a passenger”, and threatened the occupants of the vehicle with a gun, ordering them to leave the scene.

“The driver started the vehicle and immediately sounded his horn to alert passers-by. Meanwhile, the passenger got out of the car. Immediately, under the threat of a pistol, the detainee forced the driver to also leave the vehicle and sat in the driver’s seat”, added the same source, stressing that the man was unaware of the vehicle’s automatic shift system and could not start. .

Unable to move forward with the car, and wielding the gun, he ended up getting out of the car and threatening the passenger who had left the vehicle to hand him her wallet, added the Public Ministry.

The man again tried to carry out a robbery on May 26, in an isolated house in Tunes, in the municipality of Silves, “accompanied by another person” and wearing a balaclava, said the Public Ministry.

The same source noted that the companion of the detainee “went inside the house, having butted the head of the owner who was at the street door” and, inside the residence, “the detainee demanded ‘the card and the money’”, a request that was refused by the owner, and the two got involved in a fight that resulted in the removal of the balaclava from the detainee’s head and the two men fleeing the scene.

“Beginning in 1985, the detainee served several prison sentences totaling more than 18 years and was now on parole”, highlighted the Faro Prosecutor’s Office, stressing that the Public Prosecutor’s Office requested the application of the prison coercion measure and the request “was granted” by the investigating judge, after the first judicial questioning of the detainee.

Algarve Had The Highest Number of Child Victims of Crime and Violence in 2022

Faro is the district in Portugal with the highest prevalence of children and young people victims of crime and violence in 2022, with 674 cases, followed by Lisbon and Braga, revealed the Portuguese Association for Victim Support (APAV).

The study “Children and Young People Victims of Crime and Violence – Statistics 2022” carried out by APAV, shows that Faro registered 674 cases of children and young people victims of crime and/or violence (26% of the total registered by APAV), Lisbon registered 392 cases (15.1%) and Braga 288 (11.1%).

The technical advisor to the APAV board, Carla Ferreira, said that one of the reasons is probably related to the fact that it is a region where there is seasonality and many people transit. The other possible reason may be related to the offer that APAV provides in the Algarve region. In the case of Faro “there are fewer support entities and, therefore, eventually more requests for help are channelled to our support services. But we’re also talking here about many situations, for example, seasonal, people who come here temporarily, there is a situation of violence and they also end up coming here. Therefore, this greater concentration of responses from APAV also tends to give expression to the district itself”, considered Carla Ferreira.

Until the next time Stay Safe…

 

 

 

 

The Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 31 May 2023

by Mike Evans

With the country experiencing some heavy rains in the past week, the prospect of drought conditions in some areas are receding. However, the Algarve is still in a state of drought conditions and unless we see more rain there is a distinct possibility of rationing in some municipalities as we enter the summer period. It is not just the Algarve where the situation is dire. In the Alentejo there are reports of farmers having to send their animals to market earlier than normal as they don’t have enough water and to buy it is causing many farmers to make the decision to get rid of their animals. With no pasture for the cattle, due to the drought, and with feed and straw at high prices, cattle breeders in Baixo Alentejo are getting rid of the animals at auctions or at slaughterhouses.

Unless we see a lot more rain this sort of issue will only get bigger across the Algarve so it is in all of our interest to save as much water as we can and hope that the next few weeks sees a large amount of rainfall in our area.

Now a look at some of the other stories that have been in the headlines in the past week across the Region.

Promotion Association of Albufeira Call for Bigger Police Presence in Summer

The largest association of businessmen in Albufeira will ask the Government to increase the number of police officers during the summer season and adapt their number to each season of the year, said the president.

The president of the Promotion Association of Albufeira (APAL), Desidério Silva, said that security in activities linked to tourism is the main concern of its members.

“Of course, we are going to ask for an increase in staff during the bathing season”, he said, defending a police presence “adaptable throughout the year”, which depends on the number of tourists in the Algarve. According to the official, there is an important presence of tourists throughout the year and the security forces should adapt on a monthly basis, avoiding a system that reinforces security only during the summer.

The former mayor of Albufeira indicated that these claims will be transmitted during a Municipal Security Council, at a meeting scheduled for the first half of June, which will be attended by the Secretary of State for Internal Administration, Isabel Oneto.

This issue has already been addressed in a meeting between APAL representatives and the mayor of Albufeira, José Carlos Rolo, to discuss “various matters concerning the dynamics of the city and its tourist offer”.

Accelerating the process that will lead to the installation of a video surveillance system, a matter for which the municipality is responsible, is another aspect linked to security that businessmen would like to see progress quickly.

On the other hand, according to the also former president of the Algarve Tourism Region, there are still not currently a sufficient number of lifeguards on the county’s beaches, a joint effort that “is being done”.

In addition to these topics, the same meeting also discussed the creation of a tourist tax in the municipality, which is being studied by the Chamber, as well as the possibility of creating a monitoring commission for the allocation of funds resulting from it.

Desidério Silva also alluded to the problems created by the lack of housing for workers and labour for the tourist sector, which leads “some restaurants” to, “very likely”, having to serve only one of the main meals this summer.

Over Four Tons of Hashish Seized in Cabanas de Tavira

Authorities seized in the early hours of Saturday, May 27, more than four tons of hashish on board a high-speed vessel in the Cabanas de Tavira channel , announced the Portuguese Navy.

The vessel with 125 bales, with an approximate weight of 4,375 kilograms of hashish, “was detected stranded and abandoned and with still warm engines”, specified the Navy in a statement.

The seizure resulted from a joint operation by the Portuguese Navy and the National Maritime Authority (AMN) that took place on the south coast of Portugal, with the participation of the Marines and the Maritime Police. During the operation, suspicious movements of vessels related to drug trafficking were monitored, with the authorities detecting and chasing two vessels, “the same having not been approached”, said the Navy.

The vessel found stranded in the Tavira channel with the drug on board was taken to the port of Faro and handed over to the Judiciary Police for investigation.

According to the Portuguese Navy, this year and so far, 779 bales of hashish, equivalent to more than 27 tonnes of hashish, and 20 vessels have been seized in joint operations with AMN.

Exercise Between Algarve and Alentejo Civil Protection Against Fires “Fulfilled Objectives”

The interregional exercise to test the articulation of the operational means of the Algarve and Alentejo in the fight against rural fires, identified “weaknesses and strengths, but fulfilled the objectives”, announced the Civil Protection. The regional commander of the Algarve, Vítor Vaz Pinto, said that the exercise that tested the articulation between the two regions and that ended on Friday, May 26, took place “within what was expected” in a fictional scenario of a rural fire in high complexity.

“Some situations, strengths and weaknesses were identified, which will be analysed in detail as soon as the reports reach us to understand what we have to change”, said the official. According to Vítor Vaz Pinto, the Civil Protection system “is dynamic and these training sessions serve exactly to make the response forces more and more efficient”.

The exercise called “DECIRALEX’23” simulated a highly complex rural fire in an area with great potential for fire development, which involved the municipalities of Aljezur and Monchique, and Odemira (Alentejo).

According to the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC), the “fire took place in an unfavourable context for combating it”, boosted by an adverse weather situation. It was a scenario “to test the strategic decision processes, institutional coordination and operational command of the Integrated Protection and Rescue Operations System (SIOPS), as well as the tactical execution of the manoeuvre and logistical support that the Operations Management System (SGO) provides at different levels of action and command, specified ANEPC.

At the same time, the responses of medical-sanitary support and emergency psychological and social support were tested, areas led by the National Institute of Medical Emergencies (INEM) and by Social Security, respectively, with the support of the social action services of the municipalities.

Civil Protection added that the context of the exercise also made it possible to “test the activation of the municipal emergency plans and civil protection of Aljezur and Odemira that brought together their Municipal Operational Coordination centres (CCOM) on the ground.

These structures ensure institutional coordination in the face of a serious accident or catastrophe, in full articulation with the sub-regional and regional levels, he says.

In the DECIRALEX’23 exercise, 323 elements and 130 technical means from the different Civil Protection services and agents of the Alentejo and Algarve Region took part.

PSP Detains Two Men for Aggravated Drug Trafficking

The Faro District Command of the PSP , through its Criminal Investigation Squadron of the Portimão Police Division, arrested on Thursday, the 25th, two citizens aged 23 and 25 for drug trafficking in Portimão, reported that police force .

The arrests took place within the scope of an investigation carried out in recent weeks, where it was possible to obtain “strong indications that one of the suspects was dedicated to the practice of this criminal type repeatedly, including in the vicinity of an educational establishment”, says the PSP in communicated.

During a surveillance operation, the authorities arrested two citizens in flagrante delicto when carrying out a drug transaction. During the investigations, “668 doses of hashish, 75 doses of amphetamines, 37 doses of cocaine, a brass knuckle, an airsoft gun, 4,415 euros suspected of illegal activity and various materials for cutting and packaging a narcotic product were seized” , details the note.

The detainees were present at the Court of Portimão, where they were imposed the coercion measure of daily presentation at the PSP Police Station, prohibition of contact with the co-accused and witnesses, prohibition of being 300 metres from schools and prohibition of using and or buying weapons.

Over 8 Litres of Brandy Seized by Police in Loule Warehouse

Police authorities seized, on Thursday, 8,021 litres of arbutus brandy in three “unauthorised” distilleries and warehouses in Loulé , Silves and Tavira, the GNR announced today .

The brandy seized “outside the production warehouse” would have a value of 257,469 euros and “its introduction for consumption” would cause a loss of 97,050 euros to the Portuguese State related to taxes (Special Consumption Tax and Added Value Tax), estimates the security force, in a statement.

The seizure was made on Thursday by the Faro Detachment of the Fiscal Action Unit (UAF) of the GNR within the scope of operations “ARBUTUS III; IV and V”, which led to the identification of eight men and one woman, aged between 40 and 72 years old, the facts having been communicated to the judicial courts of Silves, Tavira and Loulé, reads in the note. Also according to the GNR, the operations were carried out after “three investigations that had been going on for about a year”, aimed at combating the “parallel circuit for the sale of medronho brandy outside its production warehouse”.

At issue is the practice of the “customs crime of fraudulent entry into consumption”, with the authorities having “complied with 24 search warrants in three distilleries and seven warehouses not authorised for deposit and without customs control, thus escaping the tax declaration obligations and payment of incident taxes”, indicates the GNR.

In addition to the 8,021 litres of arbutus brandy, adds the GNR, “two stills” used to produce the drink, valued at around 3,000 euros, were seized.

The “main objective” of these actions was to ensure “compliance with the legal provisions for the production, storage and sale of alcoholic beverages”, to “combat the parallel economy in Portugal” and “to guarantee the hygienic-sanitary conditions” of production, stresses the security force.

Woman Attacked After Leaving her Daughters at Kindergarten

Four hooded individuals allegedly attacked a woman on the morning of this Friday, May 26, in front of the Castro Marim kindergarten, said a JA source.

“At around 8:00 am I saw four people hooded and wearing black masks getting out of a car to attack a young woman who was going to drop her daughters off at kindergarten”, detailed the same source.

“They waited for her to leave her daughters and then they started breaking her car and assaulting the girl. I later saw INEM and GNR ,” she added.

The Territorial Post of the GNR in Castro Marim, later confirmed the existence of “attacks” and are under investigation.