The Public Security Police (PSP) will reinforce its visible presence in the Christmas and New Year period and increase road inspection operations.
«Between the 20th of December and the 3rd of January, in its area of responsibility in Mainland Portugal and in all the Autonomous Regions of Madeira and the Azores, PSP will increase its presence on public roads, strengthening its visibility and capacity to prevent occurrence of criminal offenses, contributing to the increase of citizens' sense of security», reads a statement released this Sunday, 19 December.
The operation called “Always present police: Parties in safety 2021-2022” has the motto “Celebrate with us in safety”.
The PSP will increase inspection operations in this festive season, paying particular attention to excessive speed, use of mobile phones while driving, not using seat belts and restraint systems and even driving under the influence of alcohol and psychotropic substances.
"In the week before Christmas, this increase in inspection will take place, not only in large urban centers - associated with the large influx of people and vehicles in the vicinity of commercial areas - but also in the accesses to the main interurban road axes, related to the traditional trips for family reunion», says the communiqué.
The PSP also recalls that it is present at airports and that entry into Portugal depends on the presentation of a test to covid-19 with a negative result. For boarding, it is mandatory to present a negative PCR test for the disease, with the exception of travelers who present a recovery certificate.
Since December 1st and until today, PSP has supervised around 3.500 flights and controlled more than 341.500 passengers. 720 administrative offenses were filed against people without a test and the airlines that transported them, according to the statement.
The PSP also says it will increase surveillance in residential areas, taking into account the many families who move around Christmas and New Year and recalls that, when they are away from their homes, families must ensure that the doors and windows of the house are securely locked and warns that they must not "avoid publicizing longer absences, namely through social networks".
In Christmas shopping, PSP says that the increase in the use of Internet shopping with payment through computer platforms has contributed to "the increase in reports of scams in communications."
The PSP indicates some precautions that people should take to prevent buyers from being scammed, such as understanding well the functioning of the payment method before any purchase and not accepting the help of strangers to make the payment.
In addition, they must follow the instructions for using the platforms themselves and, in case of doubt, ask the service provider's technical services for help. They can also turn to the PSP if they suspect a problem.
Finally, the PSP recalls that, as the country is in a state of calamity, "agglomerations should be avoided, especially in closed spaces."
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