Cyprus police made 13 arrests overnight as officers mounted a sweeping series of preventative operations across the island, targeting hotspots in urban centres to head off serious crime and reassure the public.
The overnight sweep, conducted by uniformed patrols stationed at key locations nationwide, netted suspects on a range of charges including arson of a vehicle, drug possession, carrying a knife, and possession of forged documents and counterfeit banknotes, among other offences.
The scale of the operation was considerable. Officers stopped and checked 680 drivers and 227 passengers over the course of the night, while 42 separate premises were inspected for signs of illicit activity, resulting in three complaints being filed.
Traffic enforcement formed a major part of the exercise, with 339 motoring offences logged and a further nine cases referred for investigation. Speeding accounted for 89 of the complaints, while five vehicles were impounded following police checks.
Breathalyser tests were carried out on 165 drivers, six of whom returned positive readings, and one driver failed a preliminary roadside drug test.
Police said the crackdown was part of a continuing, day-to-day campaign of crime prevention and suppression, with an intensified presence, targeted checks and rapid operational response designed to bolster public confidence and maintain law and order across Cyprus.
