FROM MURDERS TO FINANCIAL FRAUD - HOW THE MAP OF CRIME IS CHANGING - NICOSIA FIRST IN RAPES, LIMASSOL IN DRUGS AND ARSON - Filenews 14/8 by Michalis Chatzivasilis
A slight decrease in serious and organized crime is recorded in the first half of 2026 compared to last year, however financial fraud, arson and extortion remain a wound for the Police. There is a change in crime in terms of organized crime that is everywhere, with increased activity in Limassol and Larnaca and now in Paphos. Nicosia shows a reduced perpetrator of the factions.
The strong element for this year that is observed is the large decrease in murders and homicides, with the exception of attempted murders which show an increase compared to previous years. This is consistent with the decrease in murder cases, since if the perpetrators managed to achieve their goal, then murders would be increased as in previous years.
The picture presented by crime in the first six months of 2026 is about the same as last year but also in 2024 and 2023, since the numbers are at the same levels. However, there has been an increase in financial crimes and fraud that have been galloping in recent years. Apparently, the cunning have found fertile ground and are threshing, grabbing millions of euros with one click, with ease.
The fact that Cypriots are not "whispered" enough to understand when a message is true and when it is fake also contributes to this. They fall into the trap of impostors and lose everything they have collected without ever being able to recover it. Fraud cases have exceeded 200 this year with over seven million euros disappearing into the internet labyrinth.
Another element this year that shows the change in crime is that Limassol has the first place in serious cases, however, Paphos and Larnaca are competing for which city will take second place. What can be seen from the numbers is the activity of organized crime in Larnaca, due to the cases reported.
Crime has also diversified, since in Nicosia most rapes are recorded (most within the family), in Limassol the cases of drugs, explosions and arson and in Paphos the robberies and burglaries, while in Larnaca the extortion and theft.
This year, two murders were committed nationwide compared to 23 in 2023, 9 in 2024 and 13 in 2025. The picture with the attempted murders is completely different. That is, this year (first half) 11 attempts were committed compared to 15 throughout 2023, 14 in 2024 and 26 last year. The complaints regarding rape are: This year 23 cases, last year 42, in '24 another 40 and in 2023 36. As for attempted rapes, we had two complaints in 2026, eight last year, 12 in '24 and seven in '23.
For arsons, the situation is as follows: For this year 84 cases, last year 164, in 2024 167 and in 2023 194. As can be seen from the evidence, many who have differences solve them by setting fire to their opponents' premises or vehicles. The detection rate for this type of crime remains low over time, although this year it reached 40% compared to much smaller rates in previous years.
The picture with robberies and blackmail remains at the same levels as in the last three years, if one calculates that this year's figures are up to June. This year we had 64 robberies-extortion, 121 last year, 127 in '24 and 84 in '23.
The same picture is for drugs, since around 1100 cases are investigated every year. This year in the first half of the year they reached 573, while in the whole of previous years we had 1145 for '25, 1079 in '24 and 1099 in '23. Another crime that remains at low detection rates due to its nature is bomb explosions and attempts to destroy property with explosives.
Until June this year, 16 cases were reported, while last year 31 and in the previous two years from 40. The detection rate ranges from 10% to 27% in the previous three years, while this year it reached 31.2%. In total, in the first six months of '26, 2,932 serious crimes were recorded in Cyprus. At the same time, in 2025, 6,210 serious cases were recorded, in '24 6,014 and in '23 5,649.
Limassol is the champion, Paphos is the new focus of action
Limassol continues to hold the first place in crime with 826 serious crimes for the first half of this year, followed by Nicosia with 691, Larnaca consistently3rd with 542 serious cases, followed closely by Paphos with 463 crimes, the free province of Famagusta with 354 and Morphou with 76 cases of serious crime.
Specifically, in Limassol we had 1416 crimes in '23, in '24 1474 and in '25 1592. In Nicosia in '23 1,332 cases of serious crime, in '24 another 1443 and in '25 1369. In Larnaca last year 1110 cases were recorded, in '24 another 1025 and in '23 940. In Paphos we had 1128 cases in '25, 1091 in '24 and 998 in '23. In Famagusta we had 853 serious offenses last year, 857 in '24 and 791 in '23. Finally, Morphou investigated 158 serious cases last year, another 124 in '24 and 172 in '23.
The majority of cases that concern the provinces are drugs and burglaries - thefts, however the most difficult are murders and attempts, arsons and bomb explosions. That is, those that are related to organized crime. The amazing thing is that the cases of murder and attempted murder have a high percentage of investigation, which in some years reaches 100%, which shows that the members of the Police have the means and the way to reach the perpetrators of such serious crimes.
Offenses against property
Burglaries and thefts are the scourge of society. People invade the homes of citizens mainly at night and seize whatever valuables they find, spreading terror and panic. According to Police data, around 1600 crimes of this kind are recorded every year with the detection rate ranging from 65-67%.
Burglaries are much more than thefts, since the perpetrators either can't find something to steal, or out of fear they leave empty-handed. This year, 446 cases of burglary and 274 thefts were recorded, while in the previous three years the situation is almost the same, i.e. about 1,000 cases of burglary and about 600 thefts.
Limassol continues to hold the first place in crime with 826 serious crimes for the first half of this year, followed by Nicosia with 691, Larnaca consistently3rd with 542 serious cases, followed closely by Paphos with 463 crimes, the free province of Famagusta with 354 and Morphou with 76 cases of serious crime.
Specifically, in Limassol we had 1416 crimes in '23, in '24 1474 and in '25 1592. In Nicosia in '23 1,332 cases of serious crime, in '24 another 1443 and in '25 1369. In Larnaca last year 1110 cases were recorded, in '24 another 1025 and in '23 940. In Paphos we had 1128 cases in '25, 1091 in '24 and 998 in '23. In Famagusta we had 853 serious offenses last year, 857 in '24 and 791 in '23. Finally, Morphou investigated 158 serious cases last year, another 124 in '24 and 172 in '23.
The majority of cases that concern the provinces are drugs and burglaries - thefts, however the most difficult are murders and attempts, arsons and bomb explosions. That is, those that are related to organized crime. The amazing thing is that the cases of murder and attempted murder have a high percentage of investigation, which in some years reaches 100%, which shows that the members of the Police have the means and the way to reach the perpetrators of such serious crimes.
Offenses against property
Burglaries and thefts are the scourge of society. People invade the homes of citizens mainly at night and seize whatever valuables they find, spreading terror and panic. According to Police data, around 1600 crimes of this kind are recorded every year with the detection rate ranging from 65-67%.
Burglaries are much more than thefts, since the perpetrators either can't find something to steal, or out of fear they leave empty-handed. This year, 446 cases of burglary and 274 thefts were recorded, while in the previous three years the situation is almost the same, i.e. about 1,000 cases of burglary and about 600 thefts.
