Since 2013, the number of crimes has not been so high and despite a decrease in 2020 (Covid-19), crime has been growing again.
The statistics released by General Directorate of Justice Policy (DGPJ) reveal a worrying increase in crime in Portugal, which reached the highest values in the last 10 years. According to the data provided, the number of crimes recorded by police authorities during the year 2023 was 371,995 – in 2013 they were 376,403 – an increase of 28,150 crimes (about 8%) in relation to 2022.
You crimes against property were the most prevalent, representing around 51% of the total, with 189,657 registered crimes. Crimes against people followed, approximately 24.4% (90,840), and crimes against life in society, which represented 11.9% (44,439 crimes) of the total crimes registered in 2023.
In between The types of crime that grew the most last year were crimes against statewhich had a significant increase around the 16.9% and reached a total of 7,713 cases, and crimes against cultural identity/personal integrity, which increased 9.6%making a total of 367 cases. Crimes against people and property have increased 5.8% It is 7.6%respectively.
With regard to most frequently registered crimes in 2023, including “domestic violence against spouses or similar persons”, with 26,041 cases, followed by driving under the influence of alcohol (24,133), offenses against physical integrity (24,111), theft from a motor vehicle (20,180), computer and communications fraud (20,259)threat and coercion (16,676), driving without a legal license (15,579), theft of opportunity/of unstored objects (11,234), abuse of warranty card or card, device or payment data (10,386), theft in a commercial or industrial building (8,279), residential theft (8,237) and motor vehicle theft (8,189).
A General Directorate of Justice Policy also highlights that despite the confinement measures caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Covid-19 in 2020, which resulted in a temporary decrease in crime in Portugal to numbers below 300 a thousand crimes, the scenario in the national territory worsened again in the following years.
Faced with these worrying numbers, authorities are being pressured to adopt more effective measures to combat growing crime in Portugal and to guarantee the safety and well-being of the entire population.
