Filenews 21 July 2023
Emergency security measures have been taken in recent days by the Police in coastal towns with emphasis on the areas of Ayia Napa and Protaras, following the repeated cases of attacks, beatings, uncontrolled use of four-wheeled motorcycles, etc.
The issue was discussed during the recent meeting of the leadership of the Police at the Ministry of Justice following complaints from Ayia Napa officials. The incident with the attack on a Turkish Cypriot woman was followed by the attempted murder of a businessman at his home, the kidnapping in broad daylight from a beach bar of a person by two masked men and the beatings of tourists.
These incidents were compounded by injuries from four-wheeled motorcycles that circulate uncontrollably, creating a feeling of insecurity on the streets of Ayia Napa. Monday's meeting decided on concrete measures to prevent these criminal acts by strengthening policing. At the same time, traffic controls were increased with the establishment of members of Group "Z" in the tourist areas of Ayia Napa – Protaras. Since last Tuesday, policing in the area has been reinforced by motorcyclists of the "Z" Headquarters team who began patrols, along with others from Larnaka and free Famagusta.
Meanwhile, a radical measure concerning four-wheeled motorcycles is proposed by the mayor of Ayia Napa. In a letter from Mayor Christos Zannettou to the Minister of Justice Anna Koukkidis-Prokopiou and the Minister of Transport Alexis Vafeadis, with a notification to the Chief of Police, announces a unanimous decision of the municipal council to promote the issuance of a relevant decree for a total ban on quadricycles and tricycles immediately for the period from July 19 to August 20 from 21:00 to 07:00 and the issuance of a relevant decree for a total ban on quadricycles and tricycles directly on main road networks where a large mass of people move throughout the day and night.
In addition, he says, licenses and day-offs of municipal employees have been suspended to strengthen traffic police and three separate teams have been created, consisting of four people, each, who undertake immediately, full duties.
