Safe Communities Portugal (SCP), a non-profit crime prevention association, has signed a protocol with the Ministry of Internal Administration in a bid to make the Algarve even safer for foreign residents and visitors alike.
The partnership has been formed with a number of goals in sight, such as the development of the association’s website to contain more advice for foreign tourists, the distribution of informative pamphlets among the local communities and holidaymakers, and the organisation of debates on security and crime prevention.
David Thomas, president of Safe Communities Portugal, explained that the Algarve is already a “relatively safe region”.
“In fact, Portugal has one of the lowest crime rates in Europe. But there are still small crimes that we need to know about so that we can be alert and more careful about our possessions,” he told Sulinformação website.
All in all, he said, “the Algarve is a safe place, but there is always more that can be done to make it even safer”.
The SCP president, who is a long-standing Algarve resident, said the support of the government will help the association shine the spotlight on “security and civil protection issues by encouraging people to follow simple advice to increase their safety.”
Secretary of State for Internal Administration Isabel Oneto said the protocol is part of the government’s plan to work closer together with entities to spread the word about prevention and safety policies.
“What we ask of the association, which has a strong reputation within the foreign community, is to use its website to provide advice to foreign tourists and residents,” the secretary of state said.
Safe Communities Portugal already works alongside other institutions including the PSP and GNR police forces, SEF border control, AMN maritime authority, ANPC national civil protection authority, ASAE food safety and economic authority and local councils.
The association provides information in 10 languages, including Chinese and Russian, although it is also used by Portuguese. “On Facebook, many of our followers are Portuguese,” concluded David Thomas.
For more information, visit the Safe Communities website www.safecommunitiesportugal.com
Photo: David Thomas, president of Safe Communities Portugal, and Isabel Oneto, Secretary of State for Internal Administration
