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<p>The railway constitutes essential infrastructure for mobility, making it imperative to ensure passenger safety. Within this context, crime in the railway environment presents specific characteristics that must be considered in the approach taken by the Portuguese Security Force, specifically the National Republican Guard. This study analyzed the National Republican Guard’s role in preventing crime in the railway system. It used a qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive approach, with documentary analysis, participant observation, and 28 semi-structured interviews. The study identified the most frequent types of crimes in railway environments: thefts or robberies targeting passengers or infrastructure, and vandalism, including graffiti. The National Republican Guard patrols stations and trains, conducts inspections, participates in international operations coordinated by the European Association of Railway Police Forces, and works closely with railway operators through information sharing and joint infrastructure improvements. However, the study identified several operational limitations: limited specialized training for personnel to respond to railway-specific incidents; inefficient communication with operators, which hinders timely resolution; and resource allocation that can restrict coverage of isolated or high-risk areas. Nevertheless, stakeholders and passengers widely value the National Republican Guard’s presence, as it significantly boosts perceptions of safety. It was concluded that the National Republican Guard predominantly employs situational crime prevention strategies, primarily aimed at reducing opportunities for crime.</p>

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The role of the National Republican Guard as a preventive element against crime in the railway environment

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月4日

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  • Ricardo Imperadeiro Ribeiro,
  • Adriana Filipa Gameiro Martins,
  • Francisco Furtado

摘要

The railway constitutes essential infrastructure for mobility, making it imperative to ensure passenger safety. Within this context, crime in the railway environment presents specific characteristics that must be considered in the approach taken by the Portuguese Security Force, specifically the National Republican Guard. This study analyzed the National Republican Guard’s role in preventing crime in the railway system. It used a qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive approach, with documentary analysis, participant observation, and 28 semi-structured interviews. The study identified the most frequent types of crimes in railway environments: thefts or robberies targeting passengers or infrastructure, and vandalism, including graffiti. The National Republican Guard patrols stations and trains, conducts inspections, participates in international operations coordinated by the European Association of Railway Police Forces, and works closely with railway operators through information sharing and joint infrastructure improvements. However, the study identified several operational limitations: limited specialized training for personnel to respond to railway-specific incidents; inefficient communication with operators, which hinders timely resolution; and resource allocation that can restrict coverage of isolated or high-risk areas. Nevertheless, stakeholders and passengers widely value the National Republican Guard’s presence, as it significantly boosts perceptions of safety. It was concluded that the National Republican Guard predominantly employs situational crime prevention strategies, primarily aimed at reducing opportunities for crime.