This Wednesday, the Prime Minister left a “note of calm and confidence” in the internal security system and assured that Portugal is a “safe country”, despite the escalation of some types of crimes.
“It’s true that in RASI [Relatório Anual de Segurança Interna] The worsening situation is confirmed for some types of offenders, but these concerns stem from some geographic regions and some crime types. Portugal is a safe country, it is objectively one of the safest countries in Europe and the world,” said Luis Montenegro in an address to reporters.
According to the head of government, this is due to “the performance of the functions and tasks of the structures that control security issues on behalf of the Portuguese state.”
This Wednesday, the Prime Minister visited the Internal Security System, where he chaired the meetings of the Internal Security Cabinet and the Supreme Council of Internal Security and where the 2023 RASI, which will now be sent by the government to the Assembly, was assessed. Republic.
Following the meeting of the Supreme Council of Internal Security, which was attended by seven ministers and heads of law enforcement agencies and services, the head of government wanted to leave “a note of calm and trust in the internal security system.”
Luis Montenegro emphasized “all the efforts made by these organizations to provide citizens with real and perceived security so that they can live peacefully, respecting fundamental values.”
The Prime Minister also emphasized that the security component and the reduction of crime are important for the “economic asset” of the country.
“Portugal is a competitive country, capable of attracting and developing investment that creates wealth, employment opportunities and creates the conditions to retain young people, human resources and labor from abroad,” he said.
Luis Montenegro also highlighted the work done by the Secretary General of the Internal Security System, Paulo Viseu Pinheiro, who leaves his post in July after a three-year term, emphasizing the “strengthening, interaction and cooperation between the different organizations.” forces and security services, as well as all government departments that work to promote public peace on the one hand and prevent and suppress illegal behavior on the other.”
Data published at the end of March by the General Directorate of Justice Policy showed that the number of crimes recorded by Portuguese police increased by about 8% last year compared with 2022 and reached its highest levels in 10 years, at 371,995.