Cyprus police staged a heavy show of force overnight, running coordinated patrols across key urban areas nationwide in an effort to head off serious crime, uphold public order and reassure the public.
The operation resulted in fourteen arrests on charges ranging from drug possession and illegal residency to a string of road traffic offences, including drunkenness and disorderly conduct.
Officers stopped 746 vehicles for inspection overnight and checked 997 occupants. A further 51 checks were carried out on commercial premises to tackle low-level offending, turning up 12 complaints.
Traffic checks alone generated 357 complaints for various driving offences, with 20 further cases still under investigation. Of those complaints, 128 involved speeding, and 20 vehicles were impounded in the course of the operation.
Police also carried out 146 breathalyser tests, resulting in 11 complaints, along with five preliminary drug tests, three of which came back positive.
Cyprus police say the crackdown on crime will continue daily, with a stepped-up presence, targeted checks and rapid operational response, aimed at boosting public confidence and safeguarding order.
