Matosinhos Steps Up Street Patrols and Surveillance to Combat Rising Theft Wave

The Matosinhos Municipal Council has deployed joint police patrols across the city's commercial districts after property crimes jumped 14% in the opening months of 2026, with 51 additional theft incidents recorded in January–February 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, according to the Portugal Public Security Police (PSP).

Why This Matters:

• Property crime surge: 51 additional theft incidents recorded in January–February 2026 versus the same period in 2025.

• Immediate response: Combined teams from the PSP and Matosinhos Municipal Police now patrol high-theft zones under a coordinated deployment plan.

• Long-term investment: €2.5M surveillance network with 86 cameras across 56 locations will go live by mid-2027, targeting key commercial and residential areas.

Street-Level Security Push

The policing escalation came after recent coordination between the Matosinhos Council and security commanders. Local concerns about property crimes in commercial premises and vehicle break-ins prompted the joint patrol deployment.

The PSP characterized the spike as a notable increase requiring coordinated response. Combined foot patrols and vehicle checkpoints now operate in rotating shifts, with the Municipal Police and PSP working together on daytime and evening enforcement across affected zones.

€2.5M Camera Network to Launch by 2027

Parallel to the patrol strategy, the Matosinhos Council is implementing a comprehensive surveillance infrastructure covering the municipality's most vulnerable points. The system—86 cameras distributed across 56 strategic locations—represents a significant security investment for the municipality.

Installation will begin in the final quarter of 2026, with the entire network operational by June 2027. Cameras will integrate with the PSP's monitoring capabilities, allowing real-time alerts and support for investigations.

The council's budget allocation of approximately €2.5M covers hardware, installation, and maintenance. This investment reflects the municipality's commitment to addressing the recent crime increase.

What This Means for Residents

For residents and business owners in affected neighborhoods, the combined response of increased patrols and the planned camera network aims to reduce theft and provide both immediate relief and medium-term deterrence.

The 14% crime increase in early 2026 represents a notable shift for Matosinhos and has prompted this coordinated security response from municipal and police authorities.

Timeline and Next Steps

Residents can expect heightened patrol presence to continue through the coming months. The camera installation process will advance in the coming weeks.

Property owners in surveillance zones will receive notification of camera placements as required by regulation. The PSP has urged anyone with information on recent thefts to contact the Matosinhos precinct directly.

Vehicle owners should remove valuables from sight and report suspicious activity immediately. Shopkeepers are advised to review security measures and consider alarm-system upgrades.

For now, the message from both the Matosinhos Council and the PSP is clear: the municipality is taking coordinated action to address the recent property crime increase through visible patrols and technology infrastructure aimed at restoring residents' sense of safety.