Cyprus aims to clamp down on organised crime

There is no magic recipe to crack down on organised crime, Minister of Justice and Public Order Ionas Nicolaou said on Thursday, stressing that the aim of the police is to reduce the threat and impact of organised crime in Cyprus.

Presenting an account of the work done in the Ministry of Justice and Public Order in the first months of Anastasiades’ administration, Justice Minister said that organised crime in Cyprus is “multifaceted and multidimensional”.

“No police has found the magic recipe to crack down on organised crime and we do not have a magic wand to do it. Our effort is to reduce its impact in order not to cause fear and insecurity to the citizens” he said.

Nicolaou noted that the police maintain “constant vigilance” over the matter and its operations have led to “significant results”.

“We are not afraid to face crime and we are willing to show zero tolerance to organise crime” Justice Minister noted, adding that the Police have prepared action plans and there have been coordinated and sustained operations to combat the most widespread criminal activities related to casinos, electronic gambling and private security companies.

According to the Minister, from May 18, 2013 until October 31, 190 illegal premises were searched and 173 charges were filed by the Police. During the same period the Police launched 947 operations to search security services.

Justice Minister also acknowledged that “Police corruption is a problem”, but send the message that “there will be zero tolerance”. “We act decisively without tolerance to anyone who does not respond adequately to their duties and behaves in a way that serves organised crime” he noted.

Nicolaou also pointed out that all the citizens and the members of the Police are equal before the law.

The Minister said that by redesigning its actions, making the most of its personnel and targeting its financial resources, the Justice Ministry has so far achieved “significant work with 30% less expenditure”.