A year-long cooperation between the Public Security Police (Polícia de Segurança Pública or PSP) and the Irish National Police (An Garda Síochána) has resulted in the detection of 206 irregular passenger journeys at Lisbon Airport. Most cases involved the use of falsified or counterfeit travel documents, according to police reports.
PSP and Irish police detect 206 irregular journeys
Thursday, 13 August 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
The PSP (Polícia de Segurança Pública) is Portugal's national civilian police force, founded in 1867. Responsible for defending Republican democracy and safeguarding internal security and citizens' rights, the PSP polices major cities—Lisbon, Porto, Faro—and large urban areas, covering only 4% of Portugal's territory but roughly half the population. Led by a National Director under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, its approximately 21,500 officers handle preventive policing, crime investigation, public order, airport security, diplomatic protection, private security regulation, firearms licensing, and border control (since 2023).
PSP vs. GNR: The PSP is civilian with police-focused training and urban jurisdiction, while the GNR (Guarda Nacional Republicana) is military (gendarmerie) with military training, covering 96% of Portugal's rural and suburban territory. Both share core public safety missions but differ fundamentally in nature, training, and geographic responsibility.
4 sources
- More than 200 irregular journeys detected at Lisbon Airport by the PSP and Irish policecnnportugal.iol.pt ·
- State police seek public’s help in suspicious fire in LisbonWWNY ·
- PSP and Irish police detect 206 irregular journeys at Lisbon Airportcmjornal.pt ·
- 206 irregular journeys detected at Lisbon Airportobservador.pt ·
