According to the mayor, the "thefts or attempted thefts" recorded in the town, linked to a distinct wave of robberies of tobacco vending machines that spans several municipalities, have increased the feeling of insecurity in Grândola, in the district of Setúbal.

"When situations like this are observed, the population becomes alarmed, and there may be some feeling of insecurity," he said, although he stressed that "thefts and robberies have not increased" in the municipality.

In statements to the Lusa news agency, Luís Vital Alexandre said the commander of the GNR Territorial Detachment provided the information on the evolution of crime in a meeting held this week.

Contacted by Lusa, a source from the GNR Territorial Detachment corroborated the information released by the municipality but did not provide further details.

Even so, the mayor argued that it is necessary to reinforce community policing, which requires more personnel and more resources for the Grândola Territorial Post of the GNR.

A force of fewer than 30 officers "is very small for the needs and for the area it has to cover," stressed the mayor, who said he has already requested a meeting with the Secretary of State for Internal Administration to demand more resources.

This situation also led the Union of Parishes of Grândola and Santa Margarida da Serra to send a letter to the Minister of Internal Administration, Luís Neves, demanding urgent reinforcement of personnel, vehicles, and operational resources.

"We cannot accept that people feel afraid inside their own homes, that merchants fear for their establishments or that citizens stop circulating peacefully" on public roads, argued the union of parishes.

In addition to this official communication, the same city hall announced that it will "report to E-REDES the locations where the most critical situations of lack or insufficiency of public lighting are observed."

Luís Vital Alexandre revealed that the municipality is working on installing a video surveillance system in the centre of Grândola.

The process, the mayor said, is in the phase of "identifying the locations, the technology, and the investment necessary" for implementation.

"It is a process that is happening now, and we want it to move forward as quickly as possible," he assured.

In addition to video surveillance, the municipality has begun acquiring a vehicle for the GNR and continues to provide accommodation for military personnel stationed in the municipality, he added.

The city hall is also developing the project for the new GNR barracks, whose architectural design has already been approved, but, according to the mayor, there is still "no financial commitment" from the Government to carry out the work.

"There is no financial commitment from the Government for the execution of this project, and we will insist on this issue again at the hearing," he said, so that this infrastructure is included in the next investment program.