The Algarve municipality recalled in a statement that the mayor of Albufeira, José Carlos Rolo, requested reinforcement from the Minister of Internal Affairs at a meeting held on Tuesday. Now, the minister, Maria Lúcia Amaral, has authorized the deployment of 40 officers to increase security in one of the country's main tourist destinations.

Security in Albufeira has been a focus in recent weeks, with reports of disturbances caused by tourists. Although the municipality denies that there is an increase in crime in the municipality, it believes that crime statistics per population do not reflect the population increase, which can quadruple in the summer due to visitors.

"The Government has responded positively to the request of the Mayor of Albufeira, José Carlos Rolo, by reinforcing the force with 40 new GNR officers and various support equipment, including motorcycles and other vehicles, as well as the use of horses for patrolling," the municipality reported, clarifying that this reinforcement will be "operational" and "begin operations" this week.

The Algarve City Council highlighted the importance of the "awareness-raising" and the "appeal" made by José Carlos Rolo to the Minister of Internal Affairs.

"The understanding of the need to protect, under any circumstances, the second-largest national tourist destination at its peak visitor arrival time, a situation explained to the Minister of Internal Affairs, led to this reinforcement, which will significantly increase security in the region," argued the Faro district council.

The mayor, quoted in the statement, reiterated that the crime rate attributed to Albufeira is being "disseminated in an alarmist manner" and "is false" because it does not take into account the actual number of people in the region.

Crime in Albufeira returned to the agenda last Thursday, after the GNR (National Republican Guard) announced the arrest of a group of five 17-year-olds for robbery and violent assaults on another 18-year-old, reported about a week earlier in the city.

The young men appeared in court on Friday and were subject to biweekly appearances before the authorities as a coercive measure, the GNR reported after questioning the detainees. They were also banned from traveling to the municipality and from leaving their respective areas of residence, as additional measures imposed by the Portimão court.

While denying an increase in crime, the municipality believes that the population increase increases the risk of disturbances, often influenced by excessive alcohol consumption. The increased police presence helps minimise the feeling of insecurity among the population and respond more effectively to potential incidents.