A new application designed to overhaul everyday safety in Cypriot neighbourhoods is currently in development. SAFEZONE CY, presented on Wednesday as part of a new partnership between the Cyprus Police and Trust Insurance, is described as a digital “security map” that will give residents smart safety alerts, real-time police updates and direct contact with their local neighbourhood officer.
The app is intended to become a daily tool for household protection, bringing together information, prevention tips and immediate communication in one platform.
Through the platform, users will receive:
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Smart neighbourhood notifications: The app identifies the user’s location and sends targeted updates related to local security issues.
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Real-time police alerts: Warnings, announcements and advice delivered instantly to the user’s phone.
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AI Safe Tips by Trust Insurance: Short videos and micro-articles focused on home, personal and situational safety.
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Panic Contact Button (Smart Link): Direct access to the neighbourhood police officer and local police station (not 112, but a line for daily contact).
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Interactive Safe Map: A dynamic map showing well-lit areas, monitored parks and high-traffic public spaces.
Beyond the app: Four additional pillars
The collaboration between the Cyprus Police and Trust Insurance expands into four further areas:
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Citizen information and mobilisation: Public campaigns, short prevention messages, safety-tip cards, videos, lectures and community talks.
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Safety in parks and public spaces: Improvements to lighting, installation of panic buttons or smart alert systems, increased police presence during peak hours and awareness campaigns on safe use of public areas.
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“Light in the Neighbourhoods”: In cooperation with municipalities, dark spots will be mapped and lighting will be upgraded.
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Strengthening the role of the neighbourhood police officer: New equipment, visibility campaigns and the introduction of the “Trust Neighbour Hero” award, allowing residents to recognise officers who contribute significantly to their community.
Restoring Everyday Contact with the Public
Police Chief Themistos Arnaoutis acknowledged that the role of the neighbourhood police officer weakened during the pandemic, creating gaps in daily interaction with citizens. Speaking to Politis, he said the new action plan aims to restore this connection, and discussions on the project will continue in the coming period.
From the side of Trust Insurance, CEO Christos Christodoulou emphasised that the partnership represents a conscious investment for the benefit of society, built on a more modern, participatory and human-centred approach to neighbourhood safety.
Burglaries and related offences per year:
Recent burglary figures show that numbers remain above the lows recorded in 2020–2021, reinforcing the need for new tools and a modern prevention strategy. The eight-year average stands at 1,082 burglaries per year.
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2017: 1,448
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2018: 1,217
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2019: 1,152
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2020: 842
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2021: 840
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2022: 1,103
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2023: 1,091
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2024: 966
The role of the private sector
Asked how the cooperation with Trust Insurance began, Police Spokesperson Vyron Vyronos explained that the initiative came from the company itself, which invited the Police to explore a new form of partnership. “That is why we proceeded with the memorandum of understanding,” he said.
Vyronos added that public–private partnerships align with European best-practice frameworks promoted by the European Crime Prevention Network, which highlights the “three Ps” - public, private, partnerships - encouraging police authorities across Europe to innovate and collaborate with the private sector for more effective crime prevention.