Serious crime in Cyprus increased last year compared to 2022 and 2023, while the numbers for minors involved in serious cases are also worrying.
Last year, 6014 crimes were recorded by the Police compared to 5649 in 2023 and 5402 in 2022. In total, in the three-year period 2022-2024, 17,065 serious crimes were committed in our country. Also, 459 minors were involved in serious crimes last year. These elements are included in a letter of reply from the Minister of Justice and Public Order, Marios Hartsiotis, following a question by AKEL Larnaca MP Andreas Pasiourtidis.
As can be seen from the Police tables, in 2024 6014 serious criminal cases were opened, which is the highest number to date.
Most cases were committed in Limassol with a small difference in Nicosia, while Paphos and Larnaca follow with an increased number of crimes. In particular, the Limassol District has the sad first place, since in 2024 1474 serious crimes were recorded compared to 1443 that occurred in Nicosia.
The third city in crime is Paphos with 1091 cases and Larnaca fourth with 1025. Famagusta occupied the Police with 857 cases and Morphou with 124. The same scenario prevails for 2023 and 2022 that the cases opened were fewer. In '23, 5649 cases were registered (i.e. RCI was opened), of which 1416 in Limassol, 1332 in Nicosia, another 998 in Paphos, 940 in Larnaca, 791 in Famagusta and 172 in Morphou.
For 2022, the 5402 cases concerned: Limassol 1424, Nicosia 1214, Paphos 1165, Larnaca 920, Famagusta 563 and Morphou 116.
Based on the data, the nationality of those involved in serious crime is interesting, since it emerges that Cypriots hold the lead with 53%, followed by citizens from third countries with 29% and third parties by Europeans with 18%. Specifically, last year, of the 5584 persons involved in serious crimes, 3259 were Cypriots, 1779 from third countries and 1112 European citizens. 1541 lived in Nicosia, 1393 in Limassol, 1178 in Paphos district, 1040 in Famagusta, 889 in Larnaca and 99 in Morphou.
As far as minors are concerned, the 459 who committed crimes last year are distributed as follows: 209 or 46% came from third countries, 175 or 38% were Cypriots and only 75 or 16% were Europeans. This picture was completely different in 2022 since 63% of the minors investigated by the Police were Cypriots, 22% from third countries and 15% Europeans.
In 2023, we had a parity for Cypriots and citizens from third countries with 39% participation in criminal actions and 22% from Europeans.
