The British Embassy in Lisbon was the venue for the official launch of Safe Communities Portugal during a ceremony held on 14th January 2015.
The ceremony was hosted by British Ambassador to Portugal, Kirsty Hayes, and attended by the Dutch Ambassador to Portugal, Govert Bijl de Vroe, representatives from other missions, representatives of the Office of the Mayor of Lisbon and of the Mayor of Cascais, Public Security Police (PSP), Guarda Nacional Republicana (GNR), Autoridade Nacional de Protecção Civil (ANPC) as well as other invited guests and media.
David Thomas President of Safe Communities Portugal stated that the forming of the organization was an important milestone in community engagement with the police, by expanding those services currently being provided by Safe Communities Algarve, to other areas in Portugal. He added, that given the considerable interest shown in these services and with the support of police, it was an opportune time for further development. He announced that a new website was being developed although the existing Safe Communities Algarve website will continue to provide all the services it currently does to people living in or visiting the region. He extended his gratitude to HM Ambassador for her support.
In a speech given by HM Ambassador Kirsty Hayes, she said “I am delighted to see that the invaluable services provided by Safe Communities Algarve have now been extended to the whole of the country with the launch of Safe Communities Portugal. This innovative and important initiative should help British residents to ensure that their property and personal possessions are well protected, and keep them up to date with local developments”.
During the ceremony, a national protocol was signed between Safe Communities Portugal (SCP) and the GNR represented by Major General Luís Francisco Botelho Miguel, Comandante Operacional GNR; and a protocol between SCP and the PSP Lisbon Metropolitan Command represented by Superintendent Jorge Alexandre Gonçalves Maurício, Commander, Lisbon Metropolitan PSP Command, formalizing the responsibilities of the various parties. The aim of the protocols are to work together in order "to promote safer communities, enhance security awareness and reduce the risk of becoming a victim of crime".
These include the holding of joint seminars; the promotion of police arrests and crime prevention; encouraging the reporting of suspicious activities to police; as well as promoting safer communities; enhancing security awareness through the development of joint initiatives aimed at maintaining safe communities as well as Portugal as a safe destination. Details can be found at www.safecommunitiesportugal.com and www.safecommunitiesalgarve.com.
