Luís Encarnação, accompanied by the President of the Union of Parishes of Lagoa and Carvoeiro, Joaquim João, travelled to Lisbon to “personally convey to the GNR Central Command his concerns about the lack of police presence in Praia do Carvoeiro, as well as the feeling of insecurity and some anger that has taken hold among Carvoeiro residents and business owners”.
According to the local council, Luís Encarnação reported everything he had already done in a meeting held at the end of June with the Commander of the Faro Territorial Command, Colonel Marco Henriques, and in the various meetings he has held with Captain Silva, Commander of the Silves Territorial Post.
“The feeling of impunity that has taken hold among those who remain in the town, and illegally approach visitors and residents, the feeling of outrage among those who witness this behaviour daily, feel unsafe and have no one to turn to due to the lack of policing, and the image of the town, the municipality, and even the Algarve region, has been seriously damaged”, according to the council.
At this meeting, in addition to demanding increased policing for Praia do Carvoeiro, Luís Encarnação warned that the Algarve region, and the municipality of Lagoa in particular, requires increased policing during the summer months because it is the region of the country with the highest concentration of tourists. While the existing staff at the posts during the other months of the year is insufficient to ensure minimum services, it has even less capacity to provide them during the summer months.
According to Lagoa council, this meeting resulted in a “commitment by the Operational Commander of the National Republican Guard to reinforce policing at Praia do Carvoeiro by strengthening criminal investigations into illegal activities, increasing the presence of the Intervention Corps, Mounted Police, and deploying teams throughout the municipality as part of the Tourist Support Patrol initiative”.
Following meetings with the Commander of the Silves Territorial Post, Captain Silva, and the Commander of the Faro Territorial Command, Colonel Marco Henriques, Praia da Marinha has had permanent police monitoring traffic and illegal parking since July 7th.
As a frequent visitor to Carvoeiro on my bike rides from Portimão, I have seen this first hand. Although some of those approaching offering drugs are from Portugal, many are not (I am speaking to you, Brazilians). Anyone who commits a crime should be dealt with. Any foreigner who commits a crime in their new host country should be sent packing with no possibility of return.
By Paul from Algarve on 10 Jul 2025, 10:43
While everything the above poster listed is true, Portuguese citizens should also be punished for crimes.
I live in Albufeira and outside a Pingo Doce every Friday at 7pm a young man was out openly selling drugs.
I reported him to GNR and this was a joke.
Well we have to catch him in the act.
I said just go there ate Friday at 7pm, it took two years.
I am sure if the walked down the strip they could arrest enough people to fill the jails.
It is not more police that are needed, it is more police just doing their jobs.
By j from Algarve on 11 Jul 2025, 13:00