Portimão presents 10-point security plan to government

Portimão Municipal Council has presented a 10-point security plan to the government aimed at strengthening public safety in the municipality and across the Algarve, including calls for more police officers, an expanded CCTV network and a permanent Public Security Police (PSP) intervention unit.

Mayor Álvaro Bila handed the proposals to Portugal’s Minister for Internal Administration, Luís Neves, this week during a meeting at Portimão Town Hall, also attended by Secretary of State for Internal Administration Telmo Correia.

Both government officials visited the Algarve this week, meeting with several mayors across the region, from Castro Marim to Albufeira.

The memorandum presented by Bila argues that Portimão’s permanent population of around 65,000 can increase fourfold during the tourist season, placing significant pressure on policing, emergency services and civil protection.

Among the main proposals is a request to increase staffing levels in both the PSP and the GNR police forces, with the municipality warning that current resources are struggling to keep pace with population growth, an ageing workforce and a rising number of retirements.

The council also wants to expand Portimão’s public CCTV network from the 46 cameras already planned to a total of 294, representing an investment of €1.3 million. The municipality says the project would create the country’s most advanced public video surveillance system.

Another proposal is the creation of an integrated Security and Emergency Management Centre, bringing together the PSP, GNR, Maritime Police, Municipal Police, Civil Protection and municipal services to improve coordination during emergencies.

The memorandum also calls for the upgrading of the municipal aerodrome to allow the year-round operation and accommodation of aerial firefighting crews, as well as the creation of a dedicated career path for forest firefighters (Sapadores Florestais) to improve recruitment and staff retention.

Other measures include improvements to the GNR police station in Pedra Mourinha, the installation of the Coastal and Border Control Unit (UCCF) in Portimão, housing solutions for security force personnel and the permanent reinforcement of the PSP Intervention Corps in the Algarve, with an operational base in Portimão.

According to the municipality, the additional PSP capability would improve the region’s response to major public order incidents and large-scale international events such as MotoGP and Formula 1.

“Portimão is not simply asking for more resources for the municipality; it wants to be an integral part of the security solutions for both the municipality and the Algarve,” mayor Bila said.

The mayor said the meeting marked an important step in the dialogue between the municipality and the government, adding that the minister’s decision to visit Portimão in person demonstrated a willingness to understand the area’s challenges directly.

Michael Bruxo

Journalist for the Portugal Resident.