The District Commander of the Polícia de Segurança Pública (PSP) Faro, Ricardo Abreu Matos, said today that there is no known immediate threat affecting the Algarve but analysis is ongoing and his team is on the lookout.
Faro airport is the main security concern with seven million passengers a year so police at the airport, other security staff, transport and car rental teams have all been briefed on issues surrounding terrorism.
Under the heading 'prevention and detection of the signs of radicalisation and terrorism' the Algarve's police have been training the airport's workers "in order they can more easily detect and recognise the main signs of radicalisation."
Well aware of the probable terrorist links behind the explosion on the EgyptAir flight that crashed into the Mediterranean on Thursday morning, in an interview with Sul Informação today the PSP command stated that his officers "were also addressing the main ideologies associated with terrorism and terrorist attacks and have emphasised the importance of communication and information sharing between the various partners in the airport’s community."
Abreu Matos said that he always has top level information from the National Directorate of the PSP and that his officers are on the alert, “people are aware of the risks, we have excellent relations with the other security forces and services who work in the Algarve. We meet monthly or whenever it is necessary if there is a special situation."
Abreu Matos said that the PSP "does not underestimate any threat. All threats are considered and analysed and measures taken," adding that the help of specially trained sniffer dogs is a distinct advantage.
The Minister of Internal Affairs said today that Portugal will have all the surveillance and security measures necessary for the national team's safety when it is in France competing in the Euro 2016 championship from June.
Constança Urbano de Sousa said in Brussels today that security for Euro-2016 is down to France, the host country, but that Portugal is collaborating with the French authorities through liaison officers from the GNR and PSP with some working on the ground in France.
"The final stage of Euro-2016 naturally will warrant a strengthening of security measures," concluded the minister.
