Police conduct widespread enforcement operations across Cyprus

Over the past 24 hours and the preceding week, police forces across the Republic of Cyprus and the British Sovereign Base Areas (SBA) conducted intensive enforcement operations. Across the Republic, overnight patrols resulted in the arrest of six individuals for various offences, including car theft, illegal residency, drug possession, and assaulting an officer. Authorities inspected 446 vehicles and 38 premises, issuing 246 traffic citations, with a significant number involving speeding, and seizing eight vehicles.

Simultaneously, the British Bases Police reported 34 arrests over the last seven days, including eight cases of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Officers are investigating four drug-related cases, three of which involve suspected cocaine. Additionally, a joint search and rescue operation in the Dhekelia area on Saturday led to the successful recovery of two men, aged 25 and 37, stranded 1.5 nautical miles offshore. Following a recent drowning, Assistant Chief Constable Melina Papagrigoriou urged the public to remain vigilant regarding changing sea conditions. Police are also investigating an arson case in the Akrotiri area where a vehicle was deliberately set on fire, spreading to a second parked car.