POLICE ACTIVITY 19-20 April
The Police, as part of its mission to maintain public order and security, carried out targeted operations during the night of Holy Saturday to Easter Sunday (April 19-20, 2025). The operations aimed to prevent and suppress incidents, to prevent the illegal possession and use of firecrackers and other dangerous materials, to control vandalism, as well as to deal with phenomena of nuisance, violence and vandalism. The operations were implemented with the use of various special teams and the support of services and departments of the Force, as well as with the coordination of local police departments.
As part of the operations, patrols and checks were carried out in places such as churches, open spaces and parks where young people gathered, while at the same time there was an immediate response to information received, with intervention in various areas where incidents occurred. Also, fire pits were inspected and, where necessary, suggestions were made for measures to be taken in collaboration with the local municipal, local and ecclesiastical authorities, while in several cases piles of wood and dangerous objects intended for fire pits were moved. Crisis Management Centers operated in all provinces. By province, the serious incidents were as follows: Nicosia Province In Nicosia Province, unknown persons set fire to seven large green waste bins, as well as a blue recycling bin, in three different areas. At the same time, members of the Police were called and responded to various incidents, which involved the throwing of firecrackers, lighting fires, as well as the removal of dangerous objects from lampratzia. In the Latsia area, members of the Police were stoned by young people, while trying to provide security to a Fire Service vehicle, which was in the process of extinguishing a fire. Furthermore, in the early hours of the morning, three persons were arrested after they were spotted stealing tyres from a tyre repair shop. Finally, members of the Police located eleven bottles of flammable material in an open parking lot in the Acropolis area, as well as three gas canisters, which were seized for examination. Limassol District In various areas of the district, members of the Police located points of accumulation of hazardous materials in public areas and fires, which were extinguished by members of the Fire Department. Specifically, near a river, 20 tyres intended for lampatzia were located and seized, while in an area in Kato Polemidia, unknown persons set fire to wood on the road, which spread to trees. Also, near the Church of Agios Nikolaos, tyres were set on fire on the road. Additionally, in Mesa Geitonia, a fire caused by a firecracker spread to an EAC pole, while in the Germasogeia area, near a church, two fires were detected. Police responded to the above incidents, while members of the Fire Department were responsible for extinguishing the fires. Larnaca District In the Livadia area, young people gathered around a firecracker and threw firecrackers, flares and other objects at passing drivers. Police officers intervened to restore order and proceeded to arrest an 18-year-old man who was found possessing and throwing firecrackers in the area of the firecracker. Also, 40 firecrackers were detected and seized in the area. Another 42 factory-made firecrackers were found and seized from the 18-year-old, while he was charged in writing and is expected to be summoned to appear before Court. Paphos District Following an assessment of information, a check was carried out on a vehicle that was moving towards the entrance to a community in Paphos. The vehicle was stopped by members of the Police and during the check, 55 factory-made firecrackers and 4 fireworks were found and confiscated. The 45-year-old driver was arrested and taken into custody to facilitate the investigations. Also, in the serious incidents of the Paphos District, the serious injury of a 40-year-old man by a firecracker was recorded. According to the information under review, while the 40-year-old was in a church courtyard, he was injured in the hand, most likely by the explosion of an improvised firecracker, which was thrown in front of him by an unknown person. The 40-year-old was taken to Paphos General Hospital, where he was provided with first aid and was subsequently discharged.In total, during last night and the morning hours today, as part of the operation, 230 checks were carried out in parks throughout Cyprus, including church lobbies and other open spaces, frequented by young people.
Police actions to prevent and deter similar phenomena will continue in the coming days.