Filenews 17 April 2023
Since the beginning of the year, police have located and confiscated about 415,000 pyrotechnic articles, of which about 413,000 were firecrackers. This is the largest quantity seized in the last ten years. At the same time, since the beginning of the month, 43 Molotov cocktails, 104 gas canisters and other improvised explosive objects have been found and confiscated on various occasions in Nicosia, Limassol and Paphos.
From April 1, until today 16/04/2023, our members responded to more than 620 incidents involving nuisance, throwing firecrackers, lighting lamps and other offenses related to juvenile delinquency. As of 01/04/2023, a specific action plan was also implemented with increased patrols aimed at preventing and combating the phenomenon of the use of firecrackers and fireworks as well as uncontrolled lampratzies, in cooperation with the Fire Service and local authorities.
Regarding the above investigated cases, 28 persons are allegedly involved.
The controls were intensified during Holy Week with motorized and foot patrols outside Holy Churches, squares, parks and other public places all over Cyprus and places where lampratzias had been erected, while based on the order of a company more than 100 of our members worked during the night of the Resurrection Service for the safety of the public.
Yesterday, Holy Saturday and at dawn today, three firecracker injuries were recorded, fortunately not serious.
Specifically, on Holy Saturday, a complaint was made to the Police that at around 7.20pm, while a 56-year-old man was in a Church parking lot in Limassol, unknown young persons detonated fireworks, resulting in one of them injuring him in the shoulder. The 56-year-old went to Limassol General Hospital, where he was found to have a burn on his left shoulder and a ruptured eardrum and was discharged.
Also, in the district of Larnaka, at around 00.15 in the morning today, a nine-year-old boy who was with his mother in a church courtyard, was injured by a firecracker. The nine-year-old was taken to Larnaca General Hospital, where it was found that he suffered a superficial wound to the eye and was discharged.
At the same time, on the night of the Resurrection, a member of the Police who was on duty, was called with other members of the Police, in a specific area in the district of Larnaca, where there were complaints about lighting a fire and breaking firecrackers, where he was injured by a firework. The police officer was slightly injured in the chest and was taken to Larnaca General Hospital, where it was found that he suffered a left shoulder bruise and a tracheal burn and was dismissed.
In terms of prevention of fatal and serious road collisions, the presence of members of the Police was increased on the road network with patrols, traffic regulation and traffic control.
Between the dates 10/04/2023-15/04/2023, 739 drivers were identified and reported for speeding, 71 drivers for mobile phone use, while 40 drivers were found to be driving under the influence of alcohol. At the same time, 90 complaints were made for not wearing seat belts.
In addition, increased measures were taken in order to protect citizens and their property, as well as to prevent and combat all forms of illegality.
