Former Minister of Internal Affairs, José Luís Carneiro, emphasized that Portugal remains one of the seven most peaceful countries globally and ranks among the top five in Europe, according

to the 2023 Annual Internal Security Report (RASI).

Carneiro highlighted that "45,388 fewer crimes were reported in 2023 compared to 2003, and 4,408 fewer than in 2013." He shared these insights during the first event organized by the civic movement Porto com Porto, chaired by António Araújo, a potential candidate for the Porto City Council.

During his speech, Carneiro addressed security, a pressing concern for the people of Porto alongside issues like mobility and urban planning. He noted that the Porto district mirrors national trends, with significant reductions in crime over the past two decades.

"In 2003, 68,513 crimes were reported in Porto. By 2013, that number dropped to 62,668, and in 2023, it further declined to 55,730—meaning 12,783 fewer crimes than in 2003 and 6,938 fewer than in 2013," he said.

Carneiro pointed out that the city of Porto itself continues to be a "safe municipality," with crime rates consistently declining. In 2023, there were 14,552 reported crimes, 2,911 fewer than in 2003 and 1,086 fewer than in 2013.

These figures are particularly noteworthy given the significant increase in tourism. "In 2013, there were 3.3 million overnight stays in the Porto Metropolitan Area (AMP), and by 2023, that number rose to eight million. In the city of Porto alone, overnight stays jumped from two million in 2013 to 5.9 million in 2023," Carneiro highlighted.

Additionally, he noted the growth of the immigrant population, which has contributed to economic and demographic stability. In 2011, immigrants made up 3.2% of Porto’s population, a figure that grew to 8.1% by 2021.

Road Safety Concerns

Carneiro also addressed road safety, noting that around 70% of road accident victims and 75% of accidents occur on roads managed by the municipality. Some of the most accident-prone roads include Via de Cintura Interna, Circunvalação, Avenida da AEP, and Boavista. He emphasized the need to prioritize safety and mobility on these roads.

Carneiro argued that ensuring public safety requires a holistic, multidimensional approach involving cooperation at all levels of governance. He highlighted the government's approval of three integrated strategies between 2018 and 2023: the Integrated Preventive Civil Protection Strategy (EIPCP), the Integrated Urban Security Strategy (EISU), and the Integrated National Road Safety Strategy (EISR – Vision Zero). These strategies aim to enhance both structural and protective security.

He concluded by emphasizing the importance of fostering a more comprehensive form of citizenship, one that is better equipped to address civil protection, road safety risks, and the root causes of crime and social disruption. Photo by muffinn from Worcester, UK, Wikimedia commons.