PSP Director reports 37% drop in violent crime in Madeira

During a ceremony commemorating the 148th anniversary of the PSP Madeira Regional Command, the National Director of the Public Security Police (PSP), Chief Superintendent Luís Carrilho, emphasized that security is a shared responsibility requiring coordination between police forces, regional administrations, and local municipalities.

Regarding crime statistics in Madeira for the period leading up to July 30, 2026, Carrilho reported that while general criminality saw a slight increase, violent and serious crime decreased significantly by 37%. This trend in Madeira contrasts with the national landscape in Portugal, where crime rates increased during the first seven months of the year compared to the same period in 2025. Carrilho noted that the national rise in detected crimes is partly attributed to increased police surveillance and proactive enforcement, including an 18% increase in drug trafficking detections.