British Bases police make 34 arrests and rescue two men off Dhekelia

Dhekelia, Cyprus. British Bases police made 34 arrests over the past seven days for offences including driving under the influence, while officers also took part in a search and rescue operation that found two men unharmed off the coast.

Arrests and road safety operations

Eight of the arrests involved driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Police are investigating four separate drug cases, three of which involved quantities believed to be cocaine.

Officers conducted 30 road safety campaigns across the Bases area, issuing 63 fixed penalty notices for traffic offences and carrying out 25 breathalyser tests.

Search and rescue operation

In the early hours of Saturday, BB police in the Dhekelia area confirmed the successful completion of a joint search and rescue operation with the Search and Rescue Coordination Centre and Cyprus Police.

The operation located and rescued two men, aged 25 and 37, unharmed about one and a half miles off the coast.

Cyprus has recorded several drowning incidents recently, including the death of a 72-year-old man in the Dhekelia area on August 17.

Assistant Chief Constable Melina Papagrigoriou said sea conditions could change quickly and urged beach and coastal users to remain aware of weather and sea conditions, avoid unnecessary risks and seek help immediately if they saw someone in difficulty.

Akrotiri arson investigation

Police are also investigating an arson incident in the Akrotiri Bases area following a vehicle fire on Sunday morning.

Authorities’ assessments so far indicate that one vehicle was deliberately targeted and that the fire then spread to a second vehicle parked nearby. The investigation into the motive and full circumstances is continuing.

Papagrigoriou said it had been a particularly demanding week for both Directorates, involving incidents at sea, drug cases, dangerous driving and serious criminal investigations. She said officers would continue emergency responses and proactive policing across both Bases areas.