Since 2000, there have been an average of 21 home burglaries per day in Portugal, the PSP revealed on the occasion of the 7th edition of the European Focus Day on Domestic Burglaries.
Most burglaries involved forced entry, climbing, or the use of fake keys (20,234 incidents), while 9,320 cases involved other methods and 9,273 occurred in areas adjacent to homes, such as garages, annexes, or yards.
Regarding burglaries with severe violence or threats to people, PSP recorded 295 incidents last year.
In 2023, PSP reported 293 burglaries, a figure lower than those recorded in 2020 and 2021, indicating “a downward trend over the years,” according to the PSP National Directorate’s press office.
The police highlight that the Summer Safe — Direct Key program is already underway, aiming to prevent and enhance home security, particularly when residents are away for extended periods.
Families can report their absence at their local police station or via the site https://veraoseguro.mai.gov.pt/Pages/Home.aspx, allowing homes to be given special police attention.
“In 2024, out of the 1,254 residences included in this program, only two were subject to burglary or robbery (attempted or completed),” the PSP noted in a statement.
Beyond home surveillance, between 2018 and 2024, PSP also conducted over 1,800 awareness actions reaching nearly 40,000 citizens, addressing topics like “Theft and Robbery” and “Home Security.”
PSP joins the 7th edition of the European Focus Day on Domestic Burglaries, an initiative organized by the European Crime Prevention Network with participation from Europol, the European Commission, and 23 EU countries.
The campaign aims to raise awareness and provide self-protection advice against home burglaries.
PSP emphasizes the importance of informing officers about prolonged absences and ensuring that doors and windows are securely locked.
Installing motion-sensitive outdoor lighting and always reporting any home burglaries or attempted break-ins to PSP are additional recommendations.
Neighbor solidarity networks remain one of the most effective means of preventing this type of crime, alongside asking acquaintances to collect mail to prevent overfilled mailboxes.
