# Juvenile crime trends in Portugal

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/juvenile-crime-trends-in-portugal
> Updated: 2026-10-06T08:33:11.000Z. Sources: 17. Developments: 2.

The Guarda Nacional Republicana (GNR) reported an 11.6% increase in juvenile crime involving individuals up to 16 years old during the first half of 2026, with 797 recorded incidents compared to 714 during the same period in 2025.

While violent and serious offenses saw a significant 44% decrease—including a 50% reduction in street robberies and a 19.7% drop in offenses against physical integrity—there has been a notable shift toward digital conflict. Digital offenses committed via the internet and social media surged by 160%, a trend the GNR attributes to rising cyberbullying.

Other increases in criminal activity include unlicensed driving (+50%), drug trafficking (+42.9%), and commercial theft (+26.1%). Most incidents are reported on weekdays between 13:00 and 18:00, often coinciding with school dismissal times. The highest number of cases were recorded in the districts of Setúbal, Faro, Lisbon, and Porto.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-06: Portugal faces rising digital juvenile crime and police protests

Portugal faces diverse security and social challenges, including rising digital juvenile crime, police protests for better working conditions, and political calls for technological sovereignty in AI.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gnr-reports-rise-in-digital-crimes-among-portuguese-youth

### 2026-10-04: GNR reports rise in juvenile crime and digital offenses

Portugal's GNR reports an 11.6% rise in juvenile crime for early 2026, highlighted by a 160% surge in digital offenses and cyberbullying, despite a 44% drop in violent crimes.

14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gnr-reports-rise-in-juvenile-crime-and-digital-offenses-in-portugal

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Cite as: Juvenile crime trends in Portugal. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/juvenile-crime-trends-in-portugal