Law enforcement bodies "will do what it takes to maintain order"

"The law enforcement bodies will do what it takes to maintain the order and detain those who take part in these disturbances", claimed the Minister of Home Affairs Margarida Blasco, adding that everything will be done "to take those who took part in these riots to justice".

In a statement to the press at her arrival at the 35th Luso-Spanish Summit in Faro, Margarida Blasco stated that the Government has been following "all the acts of public unrest" from the start in three neighbourhoods in the Greater Lisbon area. 

"Tonight [22 to 23 October] we called an emergency meeting by the Internal Security System and I am in permanent touch with all the law enforcement agencies, and especially the PSP, who is in the various sites to bring back the order", she added.

The Minister gave "a special word of thanks" to all those who are working towards peacefulness and to "end these inadmissible acts of disorder that do not allow the people to travel and engage in their normal working life or take their children to school".

"The PSP, together with the other law enforcement bodies, is offering assistance to the people who wish to pursue their daily life as usual", preventing and repressing "the acts of vandalism that jeopardise public order and safety".

The Government is permanently following "all the developments and all the policing action and prevention and repression of all those who practice these acts".