Ministry of Justice clarifies crime statistics

On October 29, 2026, the Ministry of Justice and Public Order of Cyprus issued a response to a newspaper report by Politis, which highlighted a 27% increase in serious crime. The Ministry acknowledged the accuracy of the reported figure but clarified that this rise does not reflect an actual increase in criminal activity. Instead, officials attributed the surge to more effective police operations, which are uncovering previously undetected offenses and bringing more cases to the justice system.

According to the Ministry, official police data actually indicates a downward trend in serious crime, showing a 2.5% decrease during the first half of 2026 and a marginal 0.3% decline over the nine-month period compared to the same intervals in 2025. The Ministry stated that it has instructed police forces to proactively pursue and investigate crime rather than waiting for formal complaints. This strategy involves intensified patrols, targeted campaigns, and systematic information gathering, which have successfully brought hidden illegal activities to light.

This proactive approach is presented as the primary driver behind the higher number of recorded cases, as the police now focus on discovery and arrests. No further investigations or legal proceedings were mentioned, as the statement serves as an official clarification of statistical data.