Portugal faces rising digital juvenile crime and police protests

In Portugal, security forces and political entities are raising concerns regarding national safety and professional conditions. Members of the GNR and PSP are protesting in Lisbon to demand better salaries, improved career structures, and adequate working conditions, organized under the slogan ‘Por um Portugal seguro para todos!’.

Simultaneously, the GNR reported a shift in juvenile crime patterns during the first half of 2026. While overall juvenile crime rose by 11.6% compared to the previous year, violent and serious crimes dropped by 44%. Notably, there has been a 160% increase in offenses committed via the internet and social media, signaling a rise in cyberbullying and digital misconduct among youths under 16.

On the political front, the Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) has criticized the government's current strategy for data centers. Party official João Ferreira argued for a sovereign national strategy for artificial intelligence, suggesting that Portugal should focus on developing its own technological value chain and high-quality jobs rather than merely providing territory and resources for foreign multinationals.