According to a report by the Portuguese Police of Public Security (PSP), crimes of physical assault and possession and use of weapons in schools have reached a five-year high. The report, part of the Safe School Program (PES), reveals that 1,426 cases of physical assault and 920 cases of insults and threats were recorded in the 2025/26 academic year. These numbers represent a 10.5% and 3.1% increase, respectively, compared to the previous academic year.
The PSP report highlights that physical assault and insults and threats have been the predominant crimes in schools over the past five years, with a trend of increasing numbers since the 2021/2022 academic year, following the pandemic. The report also notes that the 2025/26 academic year saw the highest number of physical assault cases in five years. Additionally, the possession and use of weapons in schools reached a five-year high, with 60 weapons detected, including three firearms, 50 white weapons, and seven other types of weapons.
The PSP report also reveals an increase in other types of crimes, including sexual offenses, which rose by 18.4% to 103 cases in the 2025/26 academic year. Furthermore, drug trafficking in schools increased by 69% to 22 cases. In contrast, the number of robbery cases decreased to 67, the lowest in five years, and the number of theft cases also decreased to 324, the lowest since the 2023/2024 academic year.
The majority of crimes occur within school premises, with physical assault, insults and threats, and theft being the most common. However, robbery and drug trafficking are more frequently reported outside of schools. The PSP report also notes an increase in bullying and cyberbullying cases, with 155 and 25 cases reported, respectively, in the 2025/26 academic year.
The PSP recorded a total of 4,075 occurrences in the 2025/26 academic year, representing a 4.6% increase compared to the previous year. Of these, 2,898 were of a criminal nature, and 1,177 were non-criminal. The majority of non-criminal cases involved disruptions to school activities and possession or consumption of drugs.
The Safe School Program report highlights the need for continued efforts to address the growing concern of school violence in Portugal. The PSP emphasizes the importance of monitoring and addressing these issues to ensure a safe learning environment for students.
The RecordTV Cabo Verde report was corroborated by Lusa, and the data was obtained from the PSP's Safe School Program.
Key points
- Physical assault cases in Portuguese schools have reached a five-year high, with 1,426 cases reported in the 2025/26 academic year.
- The possession and use of weapons in schools also increased, with 60 weapons detected in the 2025/26 academic year.
- Bullying and cyberbullying cases are on the rise, with 155 and 25 cases reported, respectively, in the 2025/26 academic year.
