“There is indeed some increase in violent crime, but not as much as the media echoes, which creates a feeling of insecurity among people that doesn’t always match reality,” stated Minister of Internal Administration, Maria Lúcia Amaral, when questioned about the five incidents in the Lisbon region today.
Over the past week, police recorded five cases of people being shot: A man was admitted to the Amadora-Sintra Hospital with a bullet wound in the knee early this morning, following an incident on Sunday when another young man was left at the hospital entrance with abdominal injuries.
Early Wednesday in Cova da Moura (Amadora), another man was shot in the abdomen, and authorities recorded two additional cases on Tuesday.
“The wave of violent crimes that marked the past week must be understood in our context, which is one of a rigorous report regarding the actual increase in criminality and violence,” added Maria Lúcia Amaral, speaking at the inauguration of a new PSP police station in Odivelas.
During the ceremony, the National Director of PSP, Luis Carrilho, applauded the investment of nearly 600,000 euros for rehabilitating the Pontinha station, home to “more than 35,000 citizens.”
Luís Carrilho emphasized that the efforts of Pontinha officers have reduced general, violent, and serious crimes while increasing arrests this year compared to the last.
Regarding a report by the newspaper Público revealing that the PSP conducted “one of the largest drug seizures ever without involving the PJ,” Luís Carrilho deferred explanations to a press conference scheduled for Tuesday, praising the work of officers who seized around six tons of narcotics, mainly hashish, in a Seixal warehouse, where two fast boats were also found.
Público reported that the operation “was conducted without the involvement of the Judicial Police (PJ), which, by law, must be informed of any actions carried out by other criminal police bodies.”
When questioned this morning about the issue, the minister said she was unaware of the incident: “I have not yet read the Público report. I don’t know what happened, so I have no comment.”
Regarding the PSP union’s criticisms, which have demanded pay increases and criticized the government for not including a budget increase for 2026 to make the profession more attractive, the minister assured that efforts are being made in this direction.
“There has been – as in many other state institutions and areas – some difficulty in attracting new generations to join these institutions that require life commitments,” stated Maria Lúcia Amaral, calling this challenge “very natural.”
“Today, youth culture is different, because the world is also different, and young people have many more alternatives and choices. What we are doing in the PSP is figuring out how to dignify the police function and condition so that it can also be attractive to new generations,” added the minister.
