FILE-POLL - CRIME CAUSES TERROR, SOCIETY DEMANDS DRASTIC MEASURES

 Filenews 26 December 2025

The vast majority of citizens are sending a very strong message to the Government and especially to the new Minister of Justice and Public Order, Kostas Fytiris, through the survey conducted by Filenews in collaboration with the company Prime Market Research and Consulting Ltd.

The numbers, as they emerge from the 3,082 successful interviews of readers of our website, do not leave the slightest doubt about the feeling of insecurity of citizens and the necessity to finally take effective measures: 85% characterize the level of crime as high, 91% believe that it has increased and 67% prioritize the fight against crime as the primary expectation from the new Minister of Justice and Public Order.

The results are also overwhelming in relation to the prison system and the necessity of changes in it. 96% of those who answered believe that reform is needed, while in the changes that the public considers necessary, 42% believe that priority should be given to increasing security inside the Prisons and 40% to the construction of new modern Prisons.

Crime is skyrocketing

To the question of how public opinion assesses the level of crime, the vast majority of 85% answer high. Specifically, 42% answer very high and 43% high.

An even clearer picture of the public opinion is given by the answers to the next question as to whether crime has increased. The percentage of 91% who answer that it has increased is overwhelming.

Citizens feel insecure                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               The picture of the high level of crime is expected to affect the sense of security of citizens. When asked how safe they feel in their daily lives, 16% answer not at all, 17% a little, 45% moderately. Only 4% answer too much and 18% a lot.

Inability to control and inadequate policing

Of interest are the factors that citizens consider to contribute more to crime. The first factor is considered by 74% to be the inability to control organized crime, a fact that targets the competent bodies. The second factor is the lack of policing or law enforcement with a percentage of 60%. This is followed by 48% of the delay in the administration of justice, 43% of the entry into Cyprus of foreign criminal organizations and with smaller percentages other factors (shown in the relevant table).

Positive image but also anticipation of action for Kostas Fytiris                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         The new Minister of Justice and Public Order, Kostas Fytiris, is getting to work with public opinion having a positive opinion of him to a significant extent, but it is, at the same time, obvious that a large portion of society expects to see works before judging him.

Specifically, 40% have a positive image (22% very positive and 18% positive). At the same time, however, 31% have a neutral opinion while 15% did not answer. Only 14% have a negative attitude (7% very negative and 7% negative).

The picture is similar when asked if he has the qualifications. The detailed results are shown in the relevant table.

Great expectations from the new Minister of Justice                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Regardless of the image that everyone has of Kostas Fytiris, however, the vast majority appear with high expectations of him. In fact, prioritizing these expectations sends a clear message that it focuses on dealing with the rise in crime. At the top they place the fight against crime with a percentage of 67%, followed by the strengthening of the security of citizens with a percentage of 43%. In third place with a percentage of 42% is the tackling of crime phenomena related to illegal activities. The other sectors besides crime follow with lower rates.

Changes are needed in the prison system                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             The message of the citizens that serious and effective changes are required in the prison system of Cyprus and in the Central Prisons is also crystal clear.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Only 3% consider the prison system very effective and 20% mediocre. With an overwhelming 96%, citizens are shouting that reform is needed.

Respondents' opinion on the areas where reform should be prioritised is of interest. At the top with a percentage of 42% is the increase in security within the Prisons, followed by the construction of new Prisons with 40% (all sectors in the relevant table).

The identity of the research Sample size: 3,082 successful interviews

Coverage: Nationwide

Data collection period: 16/12/2025 – 18/12/2025

Statistical error: +/-1.8% (95% confidence interval)