Portugal’s PSP steps up summer policing at beaches, tourist hotspots and airports

Portugal’s Public Security Police (PSP) has launched its annual summer policing operation, deploying additional officers to beaches, tourist areas, airports, shopping centres and nightlife districts as the country enters its busiest tourism season.

The operation, titled “Polícia Sempre Presente – Verão Seguro 2026” (Police Always Present – Safe Summer 2026), begins this Monday (June 15) and will run until September 15 across all areas under PSP jurisdiction.

According to the force, the initiative is designed to maintain high levels of public safety during a period marked by increased domestic travel, a surge in international visitors and a packed calendar of cultural, recreational and sporting events.

Police resources will be concentrated in locations expected to attract large crowds across Portugal, including beach resorts, historic centres, commercial areas, transport hubs, airports, railway and bus stations, as well as bars, nightclubs and major event venues.

Residential neighbourhoods will also receive additional attention, particularly as many homeowners leave their properties unattended while travelling on holiday.

Road safety is another of the operation’s key priorities. Officers will carry out targeted enforcement against offences linked to serious accidents, including speeding, drink-driving, mobile phone use behind the wheel and failure to wear seatbelts.

The PSP said it will also increase monitoring of motorcycles, reflecting their greater use during the summer months, and will carry out checks on buses and other vehicles transporting children to holiday and leisure activities.

Alongside traffic enforcement, the force will focus on preventing theft, robbery and other “opportunistic crimes” in crowded areas, while paying particular attention to offences targeting tourists.

Police have also highlighted concerns over fraudulent holiday accommodation bookings, group violence, public disorder, cybercrime and the illegal possession of weapons and prohibited items.

As part of its community summer policing strategy, the PSP will continue running several public awareness initiatives throughout the summer.

These include the “Portugal, Safer Place” campaign, which provides multilingual safety information to foreign visitors at airports, tourist offices, hospitals and other strategic locations.

The force will also continue operating the “Verão Seguro – Chave Direta” programme, which allows residents to request police monitoring of their homes while they are away on holiday through an online platform.

Meanwhile, the “Estou Aqui! Crianças” programme, designed to help locate missing children in busy public spaces, will remain active in areas with high visitor numbers.