Authorities are dealing with unprecedented crime levels and right in front of their faces too it would seem, following clashes outside the Larnaca main police precinct yesterday, in the centre of the coastal town, which involved at least ten people shooting at each other, also employing axes and bats.
Public anger has been simmering over the past few months, after a growing number of violent incidents across cities, mostly related to organised crime.
'The Larnaca incidents are simply unacceptable', President Christodoulides commented today (January 18th), announcing drastic measures, including the deportation of third country nationals involved.
He was coordinating with the Justice Minister, as he noted, adding that there was absolutely no downgrading such a situation.
As police was looking to make quick arrests, the President warned that any third country nationals involved, would be immediately put on a plane and sent back to their countries 'also placed on a stop list, to prevent them from returning.'
He was not aware if any Cypriot citizens were involved in the clashes, but made clear that any response will serve as a 'harsh deterrent'.
Justice minister Costas Fytiris said last night that the Larnaca incidents, related to organised crime gangs, were further indication that the situation was now 'out of control' and collective action was needed by both state and society, with citizens stepping forward and providing information.
Speaking at the Larnaca police precinct, he pledged the government's commitment to rooting out crime, noting that authorities did not yet have all the means at their disposal and calling on MPs to vote in the legislation that will provide these additional tools, so that police can be 'a step ahead of organised crime'.
Our action needs to be pre-emptive, the Justice Minister concluded.