The Annual Internal Security Report (RASI) reveals that there were 9,788 criminal cases in the Azores last year, 49 more than in 2022 (9,739). In economic and financial crime, 85 cases were initiated in 2023 in the region for abuse of power, and in economic participation in business, there were more than 10 cases.
Ponta Delgada is the municipality with the highest number of crimes recorded in the Azores in 2023, followed by Ribeira Grande and Angra do Heroísmo. Together, these three counties account for a significant part of the total crime in the region. Conversely, Corvo, Lajes das Flores, and Lajes do Pico have the lowest crime figures.
In detail, Ponta Delgada registered 3,188 cases, making it the municipality with the highest number of incidents, followed by Ribeira Grande, which had 1,963 cases. Angra do Heroísmo recorded 1,113 cases, and Praia da Vitória had 788 cases. The municipality of Lagoa recorded 719 cases, followed by Horta, with 424 cases. Vila Franca do Campo, with 315 cases, was followed by Velas and Madalena, with 195 cases each. Povoação had 194 cases, Vila do Porto 109 and Nordeste 107. Santa Cruz das Flores and Santa Cruz da Graciosa had 94 cases each, while São Roque do Pico had 88 cases. Calheta had 70 cases, followed by Lajes do Pico, with 57 cases. Lajes das Flores recorded 18 cases, and Corvo had the lowest number of incidents, with 12 cases.
The most reported crimes in general crime were simple voluntary bodily harm, with 1,056 cases, followed by domestic violence against a spouse or similar, with 821 cases, and threats and coercion, with 808 cases. Other crimes with a high incidence in the region were driving a vehicle with an alcohol level of 1.20 grams per liter or more (544 cases); theft from a motor vehicle (517 cases); other damage (508 cases); theft from a residence with breaking and entering, climbing or false keys (386 cases); computer and communications fraud (365 cases) and theft of opportunity of an unguarded object (319 cases).
In addition, 295 cases of driving without a legal license and 257 cases of drug trafficking, including precursors, were recorded. There were 252 cases of ‘other fraud.’ Theft from a commercial or industrial building with breaking, entering, climbing, or false keys accounted for 248 cases. In contrast, theft from a residence without breaking, entering, climbing, or false keys accounted for 221 cases. Theft from a motor vehicle amounted to 213 cases.

Increase violence in 2023

Violent crime cases rose in the Azores from 232 in 2022 to 255 in 2023.
The most reported crimes in the context of violent crime in the Azores last year were robbery on the public highway, except by extortion, followed by severe bodily harm. These were followed by extortion, resisting and coercing an official, residential robbery, robbery in commercial or industrial buildings, and robbery by stretching.

Fifteen Azoreans from Canada

Last year, 43 Portuguese citizens were deported from Canada 15 to the Azores. Nineteen Portuguese citizens were deported from the United States, three of them to the Azores. The main reason for deportation was illegal residence, followed by a criminal record of assault, robbery, and domestic and sexual violence, among others. According to the information provided by the British authorities, 81 Portuguese citizens were deported between January and September 2023, including one from the Azores.
The number of reports of fire/arson in the forest, woods, grove, or field fell from six in 2022 to three in 2023.

More accidents in the Azores in 2023

Regarding road accidents, there were 3,915 road accidents in the Azores in 2023, 252 more than in the previous year (3,663).
On the other hand, the data shows a decrease in fatalities at the scene, with six recorded in 2022 and three in 2023. The number of seriously injured fell slightly, from 114 in 2022 to 111 in 2023. As for the slightly injured, there was an increase from 683 in 2022 to 710 in 2023.

C.P. in Correio dos Açores-Natalino Viveira, director

Translated to English as a community outreach program from the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL) as part of Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance) at California State University, Fresno, PBBI thanks Luso Financial for sponsoring NOVIDADES.