Residents of Ekali in Limassol, particularly those living near the student halls, say their nights are being disrupted by fights, noise and damage, and are calling for effective action and more frequent police patrols in the area.
Phileleftheros has received several complaints in recent days from residents and business owners. They say the situation, which includes bin fires, vandalism and damage to premises, has got completely out of control. Some said they were reluctant to make official complaints for fear their property would be damaged.
Residents say the same people are repeatedly involved, mainly minors who attend secondary school, as well as young people from other parts of Limassol. According to the complainants, antisocial behaviour and damage happen almost every day, and the youths appear unconcerned that police might step in.
“We’re really suffering and nobody cares,” one resident said, adding that people were tired of raising the issue and writing about it every day.
One café in the area has been vandalised and damaged on several occasions, according to reports received by Phileleftheros. People who say they witnessed incidents there describe the area outside the café as a gathering point for young people, mainly from late afternoon into the evening, with persistent antisocial behaviour and trouble.
In one recent incident, a youth allegedly threw one of the café’s chairs at another youth outside the premises, causing tension, according to a witness account obtained by Phileleftheros.
On another occasion, also outside the café, a group of youths were allegedly being disruptive. When they were asked to stop, the situation escalated into a scuffle. The youths left, and shortly afterwards a rubbish bin was set on fire.
According to the complaints, the trouble has not been confined to the outside of the café. During an argument between youths inside, one of them threw a chair that broke the café’s internal glass partition.
