The Annual Internal Security Report (RASI) was approved on Monday during the meeting of the Supreme Internal Security Council. Among various data, the document reported that violent and serious crime increased, while overall crime decreased. Furthermore, juvenile delinquency has been on the rise since 2021, and the number of school-related incidents has reached a ten-year high.
From Youth to Prisons: Key Insights from the RASI
Rapes and Robberies: Violent Crime Increased by 2.6% in 2024
According to the report, violent and serious crime rose by 2.6% last year compared to 2023, with 14,385 recorded incidents, while general crime decreased by 4.6%, with 354,878 reports filed.
The RASI notes that within violent and serious crime, the most significant increases were in muggings (up by 8.7%), vehicle theft (up by 106.3%), robberies in commercial or industrial buildings (up by 21.7%), rape (up by 9.9%), and robberies at banks or other credit establishments (up by 128.6%).
Conversely, the crimes that showed the most significant declines last year compared to 2023 were resistance and coercion against officials (-16.2%), serious assault (-6.1%), street robbery except for theft by snatching (-0.3%), other robberies (-8.3%), and theft at fuel stations (-12.3%).
Violent and serious crime increased by 2.6% last year compared to 2023, with 14,385 recorded incidents, while general crime fell by 4.6%, with 354,878 reports, according to the Annual Internal Security Report (RASI).
Lusa | 16:43 – 31/03/2025
Regarding rape, the preliminary RASI document indicates that last year there were 543 rapes, 49 more than in 2023, when 494 were recorded. Another crime with a significant increase was bank robbery, totaling 32 in 2024, 18 more than in 2023.
Homicides registered a slight decrease, with 89 reported crimes, one less than in 2023.
Violent and Serious Crime Rose in Most Districts in 2024
Violent and serious crime increased last year in most districts, with the greatest rises in Santarém, Leiria, and Castelo Branco.
The 2024 RASI highlights that the most significant increases in violent and serious crime occurred in the district of Santarém (+33.3% compared to 2023), Castelo Branco (+30.5%), Portalegre (+3.4%), and Leiria (+28.2%).
In the districts of Porto and Faro, violent and serious crime also increased by 4.8% and 9.9% respectively. Meanwhile, the district that recorded the largest decline in this type of crime was Guarda (-25%).
Violent and serious crime increased last year in most districts, being most pronounced in Santarém, Leiria, and Castelo Branco, according to the Annual Internal Security Report (RASI), which highlights declines in Lisbon and Setúbal.
Lusa | 20:41 – 31/03/2025
Sexual Crime Rises Among Youths: Crimes “Increasingly Serious”
Juvenile delinquency has been on the rise since 2021, with last year’s increase of 12.5% compared to 2023, coupled with a rise in group crime by 7.7%.
The document states that last year there was a continued “predominance of cases linked to sexual crime, notably child sexual abuse committed by offenders aged 12 to 16”. It also highlights “the crime of child pornography using applications such as Discord and WhatsApp, used for sharing sexually explicit and pornographic files”.
This preliminary version notes that, despite “a certain calmness” in severe crimes against life and physical integrity by young people in group contexts last year, the crimes “are increasingly serious and perpetrated by younger individuals, where the value of human life holds no significance”.
Juvenile delinquency maintained the upward trend last year since 2021, according to the internal security report, which highlights “the predominance of cases linked to sexual crime” and the worsening of crimes among young people.
Lusa | 18:15 – 31/03/2025
School Crime Incidents Reach a Decade High
Occurrences of criminal nature in schools rose by 6.8% in the 2023/2024 academic year, marking the highest number in the last ten years.
Criminal-related numbers have been increasing significantly since the pandemic period, corresponding to the 2022/2021 academic year. Ten years ago, in the 2014/2015 academic year, the number of criminal nature incidents was 4,768, below the values recorded in the last academic year.
The occurrences of criminal nature in schools increased by 6.8% in the 2023/2024 academic year, indicating the highest number over the past ten years, as noted in the Annual Internal Security Report (RASI).
Lusa | 17:24 – 31/03/2025
Increasing Minors Lured Online by Far-Right
Far-right propaganda gained momentum in Portugal during the 2024 elections, with more youths, many under 16, being lured online by these movements.
The section on global threats to internal security in the RASI of 2024 states that “traditional skinhead movements of white supremacy and neo-Nazi origin, known for their street actions and violence, fail to appeal to youth as much as the new far-right nationalist movements with strong online presence and charismatic leaders acting as influencers”.
The document highlights the “proliferation of increasingly diverse and sophisticated communication channels, including online gaming platforms and content sharing groups that promote the mass dissemination of extremist content, facilitating recruitment and (self-)radicalization processes”.
Far-right propaganda gained momentum in Portugal during the 2024 elections, with an increasing number of youths, many under 16, being lured online by these movements, according to the internal security report.
Lusa | 19:54 – 31/03/2025
Crimes Related to Illegal Immigration Reach Decade Low
According to the RASI, last year recorded the lowest number of crimes related to illegal immigration in the past decade.
In total, 343 crimes related to illegal immigration were recorded last year in Portugal, 144 less than in 2024, representing a decrease of 29.6%. Ten years ago, the number was 541.
Another decrease is seen in the number of detainees, with 12 arrested for human trafficking (11 fewer than in 2023) and eight for aiding illegal immigration (34 fewer than in 2023).
The number of crimes related to illegal immigration recorded last year the lowest figure of the past ten years, according to the Annual Internal Security Report (RASI).
Lusa | 19:01 – 31/03/2025
Number of Portuguese Expelled or Deported Increased by 43% in 2024
Meanwhile, the number of Portuguese expelled or deported to Portugal last year rose by 43% compared to 2023, with nearly 1,500 serving sentences abroad.
A total of 387 people were removed, expelled or deported to Portugal, 117 more than the previous year. The majority of these citizens came from European countries (257), representing 66% of the total, while 130, equivalent to 34%, arrived in Portugal from non-European countries.
The number of Portuguese expelled or deported to Portugal last year rose by 43% compared to 2023, with nearly 1,500 serving sentences abroad, according to the Annual Internal Security Report (RASI).
Lusa | 21:56 – 31/03/2025
Increase in Violence Associated with Drug Trafficking
On the other hand, Portugal has been recording an increase in violence associated with drug trafficking. The RASI indicates that drug trafficking routes, especially hashish trafficking by sea, continue to report a high number of occurrences along the Algarve coast, an area that demands heightened attention from the authorities.
Portugal has been recording an increase in acts of violence associated with drug trafficking, cautions the Annual Internal Security Report (RASI).
Lusa | 18:32 – 31/03/2025
Increase in Prison Numbers and Attacks on Prison Guards in 2024
Regarding prisons, there were 165 more inmates last year compared to 2023, a rise of 2.4%. Additionally, the number of cases of assaults on prison guards increased.
Despite this rise, the RASI points out that there has been no overcrowding situation for the sixth consecutive year, as the prison occupancy rate stood at 96.8%.
In relation to incidents involving assaults on prison guards, the data point to an increase in these cases: 42 prison guards were assaulted, six more than in 2023.
Prisons had 165 more inmates last year compared to 2023, a rise of 2.4%, and the number of cases of assaults on prison guards increased, as revealed by the Annual Internal Security Report (RASI).
Lusa | 16:53 – 31/03/2025
62% of Domestic Violence Inquiries Closed in 2024
Over 62% of inquiries concluded last year concerning domestic violence were closed. Out of 37,592 inquiries concluded, only 13.9%, equivalent to 5,214 inquiries, resulted in charges.
The number of cases reported by authorities slightly decreased, with 2024 marked by 25,919 cases related to domestic violence. Despite a 0.5% decrease, domestic violence and simple assault remain the categories with the highest number of reported cases last year.
Over 62% of inquiries concluded last year related to domestic violence were closed, reveals the Annual Internal Security Report (RASI).
Lusa | 22:06 – 31/03/2025
Defendants in Economic Crimes Increased by Over 50%
Regarding economic crimes, the RASI indicates that the number of defendants in economic crimes increased by more than 50% last year, although the number of detainees decreased by approximately 40%.
1,281 defendants were constituted last year alone, and 69 individuals were arrested in connection with cases related to corruption, money laundering, abuse of power, embezzlement, and misappropriation. The RASI also highlights that the number of women defendants increased by around 65%.
The number of defendants related to economic crimes increased by more than 50% last year, while the number of detainees decreased by approximately 40%, reveals the Annual Internal Security Report.
Lusa | 19:02 – 31/03/2025
