security crackdown — Larnaca is on high alert following a daylight shootout that has prompted Justice Minister Costas Fytiris to implement a significant security crackdown in the city. During an emergency meeting at Larnaca Police Headquarters, attended by Mayor Andreas Vyras and senior police officials, it was announced that police presence would be permanently increased, with immediate 24-hour patrols set to commence.
Fytiris, addressing the rising concerns over crime, stated, “Crime has become emboldened,” emphasising the government’s commitment to dismantling both local and international criminal networks. He asserted that the government’s performance would be evaluated based on tangible results in curbing these threats.
The Minister introduced a stringent zero-tolerance policy aimed at foreign nationals engaged in illegal activities, revealing fast-track deportation procedures for offenders. This initiative aligns with a nationwide operation conducted by the Aliens and Immigration Service, which has already led to 30 arrests across Cyprus. Fytiris made it clear that authorities would employ every legal tool in their arsenal to confront criminal organisations, regardless of their origin, to ensure public safety.
Mayor Vyras, who has previously condemned the recent violence as “unfit for a modern city,” expressed the need for substantial outcomes rather than mere assurances. He committed to collaborating fully with law enforcement to restore order in Larnaca. The Minister also called upon the public to assist law enforcement by providing information, even anonymously, to strengthen the relationship between citizens and police.
Fytiris acknowledged the global nature of organised crime, noting its impact across the European Union, but he insisted that Cyprus must remain vigilant and proactive in addressing these issues. The government’s multifaceted approach aims not only to tackle current threats but to lay the groundwork for a safer future.
