Larnaca, Cyprus. Justice Minister Costas Fitiris called for close cooperation between the state, local authorities and civil society to address what he described as a crisis linked to a rise in organised crime. He spoke after meeting Larnaca Mayor Andreas Vyras and local police leadership.
Minister cites need for wider coordination
Fitiris said tackling the problem requires maximum effort not only from the police but also from other state services, including local government. The meeting followed a recent serious criminal incident in the city.
Asked about measures to be taken, he said police presence would be strengthened with continuous patrols in key areas. He described the effort as a battle requiring persistence and patience.
Mayor calls for state-level action plan
Vyras said such incidents undermine the city’s progress and fuel insecurity among residents. He confirmed the municipality’s willingness to cooperate while noting that combating organised crime does not fall within the remit of local authorities.
He called for responsibility to be taken at the level of the state as a whole, including government, police and courts, and urged the adoption of a clear and concrete action plan. “People are tired of promises without action,” he said, adding that the municipality would assist through public information and joint awareness campaigns, while closely monitoring developments and expecting tangible results.
Police outline operational response
Larnaca police director Ioannis Kapnoullas said officers had volunteered to report for duty outside their scheduled hours to support policing efforts. He said investigations into the incident were continuing and that patrols were active across the city, aiming to keep staff inside police stations to the absolute minimum necessary.
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