Burglaries from properties in the Algarve have showed a disturbing "growth trend" over the last three years with 43 cases reported to authorities in 2010 and 73 already in the first half of 2013, according to the Internal Security System (SSI).
In 2011 there were 52 reported cases of burglaries and in 2012 the number rose to 66.
These figures seem low but have been issued by the SSI which gathers information from the PSP, the GNR, the Judicial Police and the Security Information Service. It is not explained whether these crimes were violent crimes as the information refers only to ‘theft.’
Burglaries in the Algarve region had a "relative weight of 6.5% of the national total" in 2010-2012 the report added.
In response to the occurrence of several violent robberies in luxury isolated residences, the GNR in 2010 set in motion the "Home Safe" scheme.
The initiative is to contact each of resident and to geo-reference and number each property on a map to ensure a faster response from security forces. Residents also are given a dedicated phone number to contact GNR officers with language skills.
