British Bases (BB) police made 34 arrests over the past seven days for a range of offences, including eight cases of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Officers are also investigating four separate drug cases, in three of which they found quantities believed to be cocaine.
Police carried out 30 road safety campaigns across the Bases area, issuing 63 fixed penalty notices for traffic offences. They also conducted 25 breathalyser tests.
In another especially busy week for BB police, officers in the Dhekelia area confirmed in the early hours of Saturday the successful completion of a joint search and rescue operation involving BB police, the Search and Rescue Coordination Centre and Cyprus Police, which found and rescued two men, aged 25 and 37, unharmed, a mile and a half off the coast.
Cyprus has recorded several drowning incidents recently, including the death of a 72-year-old man in the Dhekelia area on 17 August. Assistant Chief Constable Melina Papagrigoriou said:
“These incidents are a timely reminder that sea conditions can change very quickly. We urge everyone using our beaches and coastal areas to stay aware of weather and sea conditions, avoid unnecessary risks, and seek help immediately if they see someone in difficulty.”
Police are also investigating an arson incident in the Akrotiri Bases area, after a vehicle fire on Sunday morning that, according to authorities’ assessments so far, appears to have been deliberately targeted.
Papagrigoriou said: “Our current assessment is that one of the vehicles was deliberately targeted, and that the fire subsequently spread to a second vehicle parked nearby. Our investigation is ongoing, as we continue to look into the motive and the full circumstances surrounding the incident.”
Turning to the week as a whole, she added: “It has been a particularly demanding week for both of our Directorates, with incidents ranging from the protection and loss of human life at sea, to drug cases, dangerous driving and serious criminal investigations.
“Our officers continue to combine an immediate response to emergency incidents with proactive policing across both Bases areas. We will continue to maintain a visible and professional police presence, working with our communities and our partners, with the aim of keeping the public safe.”
