A 61-year-old woman was named a suspect on July 1 for allegedly staging a burglary at her own home in the municipality of Fundão.
The suspect reported to authorities that a window at the back of her house was broken and claimed that “several gold items and money” had been stolen, prompting an investigation by the National Republican Guard (GNR), as stated in a security force communiqué issued to newsrooms this Monday.
“During the proceedings, it was established that the described events did not align with reality, leading to the collection of evidence that concluded it was a simulated burglary by the homeowner for financial reasons,” authorities reported in the communiqué.
The GNR seized various gold items and a total of 12,848 euros.
The woman was charged, and the facts were forwarded to the Judicial Court of Fundão.
This operation was conducted by the Castelo Branco Territorial Command through the Fundão Criminal Investigation Unit (NIC).
The PSP recorded more than 38,000 home burglaries in Portugal over the past five years, during which 696 people were arrested, according to data released today, which also reveals about 300 annual cases involving violence.
Lusa | 12:17 – 18/06/2025
Over the past five years, the Public Security Police (PSP) reported more than 38,000 home burglaries in Portugal. During this period, authorities arrested 696 individuals, according to data released Wednesday in connection with the 7th European Focus Day on Domestic Burglaries.
This security force highlighted that since 2000, there have been an average of 21 daily burglaries at residences in Portugal, most involving break-ins, scaling, or use of fake keys (20,234). In 9,320 cases, burglars used other methods, while in 9,273 incidents, thefts occurred in areas adjacent to homes, such as garages, annexes, or yards.
Last year, the PSP reported 295 incidents of burglaries with severe violence or threats to individuals.
In 2023, authorities were aware of 293 burglaries, a number below both 2020 and 2021, indicating a “downward trend over the years,” according to the PSP’s national press office.
Authorities also emphasized that the Safe Summer – Direct Key program is currently underway, focusing on prevention and enhancing the security of residences, particularly when individuals are away for extended periods.
The PSP reminded citizens that they can report their absence to the police station in their area of residence or through the website https://veraoseguro.mai.gov.pt/Pages/Home.aspx, ensuring that homes receive special attention from authorities.
