Crime Prevention

PCIC believes that security begins before any crime occurs. Crime prevention is one of the institution's core missions, as important as investigation, and it requires the active participation of the whole community. Informed citizens, vigilant communities, and prepared institutions are the best allies of any police service.

This section gathers practical guidance, awareness campaigns, and support materials aimed at individuals, merchants, institutions, and schools. The goal is to share knowledge that allows every citizen to recognise risk situations, adopt preventive behaviour, and know how to act and whom to turn to when something goes wrong.

Prevention is not the sole responsibility of the authorities. It is a shared responsibility of the whole of society.

Digital safety

Digital life has become inseparable from daily life. We shop, communicate, store memories, and manage finances online. But this world of convenience also brings real risks - and criminals adapt quickly to new technologies.

Fraud and phishing

Phishing is one of the most common forms of digital crime. The attacker poses as a legitimate entity - a bank, a government institution, a telecoms company - and tries to obtain your personal data, passwords, or banking information through fake emails, SMS messages, or phone calls.

How to protect yourself

Be wary of urgent messages asking for personal or banking data. No bank or government institution asks for passwords by message. Before clicking any link, check the sender carefully. When in doubt, contact the entity directly through their official channels.

Personal data protection

Your personal data has value. Full name, identification number, date of birth, address, and bank details are sensitive information you should share only when strictly necessary and with trusted entities. On social media, limit the personal information you make public. Photographs that reveal your usual location, schedule, or possessions can be exploited by criminals.

How to protect yourself

Use different passwords for each service and enable two-factor authentication whenever it is available. Do not share passwords with anyone, not even those close to you. Regularly update your devices and applications - updates fix security flaws.

Online shopping and transactions

Online shopping is convenient but requires care. Always check that the site you are buying from has the security protocol active (the address starts with "https" and shows a padlock). Be wary of prices well below market - they often indicate fraud. Prefer payment methods that offer buyer protection.

How to protect yourself

Do not carry out banking transactions on public Wi-Fi networks. Check your bank statements regularly and report any suspicious movement to your bank and PCIC immediately.

Social media and personal safety

Over-exposure on social media can compromise your physical safety. Posting in real time that you are on holiday, sharing photographs of your home, or revealing daily routines provides valuable information to potential burglars.

How to protect yourself

Set your account privacy so that only trusted people see your posts. Think twice before sharing your location in real time.

If you are a victim of digital crime

Preserve all evidence - screenshots, messages, emails, call records. Do not delete anything. Report it to PCIC using the contacts available on this website. In case of unauthorised access to bank accounts, contact your financial institution immediately to block access.

Best practices

Best practices for individuals, merchants, and institutions

For individuals

Home security begins with small habits that make a big difference. Make sure doors and windows have proper locks and that you always use them, even for short absences. Do not leave valuables visible through windows or inside parked vehicles. Know your neighbours - communities that know and talk to one another are naturally safer.

Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. When using ATMs, make sure no one is watching your PIN. If you feel followed or in danger, go to the nearest public place and contact the authorities.

In case of a robbery, do not resist if this puts your physical safety at risk. Your safety is always worth more than any possession. Cooperate with the authorities, preserve the scene as much as possible, and report the incident to PCIC or PNTL as soon as possible.

For merchants

Commercial premises are frequent targets of theft, robbery, and fraud. Simple preventive measures significantly reduce the risk. Install a visible video-surveillance system - the mere presence of cameras is a strong deterrent. Keep cash on the premises to a minimum and make frequent deposits. Light the entry areas to the premises adequately, including outside.

Train your staff to recognise suspicious behaviour and to act calmly in robbery situations. Establish clear opening and closing procedures. Keep emergency contacts up to date and make sure the whole team knows them.

In case of fraud, document all facts in as much detail as possible - dates, descriptions of suspects, methods used - and report to PCIC. Sharing information between merchants and with the authorities is essential to identifying patterns and preventing new crimes.

For institutions

Public and private institutions face specific risks that require a structured approach to security. PCIC recommends drawing up a Risk Prevention Plan that identifies the organisation's vulnerabilities, defines preventive measures, and establishes incident-response procedures.

Control access to premises and implement clear policies for the management of keys, access cards, and IT credentials. Promote regular staff training on security - including digital safety, recognising risk situations, and emergency procedures. Establish communication protocols with the authorities and keep emergency contacts up to date.

PCIC is available to work with institutions on risk assessment and staff awareness, as part of its crime-prevention activities.