Commission on juvenile delinquency meets for first time

The commission created following last year’s disturbing RASI homeland security report has met today for the first time. Minister for Internal Administration José Luís Carneiro told reporters that since the need for this commission was underlined, more than 250 young people have been identified in Greater Lisbon alone with links to criminal groups. Crime overall has been decreasing over the years, he said – but not juvenile crime, which has gone the other way. Portugal too has gone from being considered the 3rd safest country in the world, to the 6th – specifically due to the increase in violent crime. Thus today’s meeting was a step on the path to trying to recover ground. The minister said the commission will “work together and find integrated responses to juvenile delinquency and violent criminality“.