The information above is based on incidents reported to the Cyprus Police.OUTSTANDING QUESTIONS FROM KAMARES MEETING IN MAY
Answers provided to the questions by Cyprus Police Department
1) Can we install extra cameras on the crossroads?
The installation of cameras on public roads and areas is prohibited by law. They are allowed to be installed for security purposes in private areas and only record areas in the private area where they will have a sign posted on the spot that this area has a closed surveillance circuit installed. Police consider placing cameras at central road crossings in all Municipalities to prevent and combat traffic and other offenses.
2) What else can people do if GPS signal is interrupted by thieves and alarm system does not notify owner or Security Company?
In addition, you may have a guard dog, inform a person or a neighbor of being absent from home. Also, you have to check the alarm system on a regular basis to ensure it is operational and properly maintained by the installation company.
3) Do the Police have any trained dogs for searching for drugs?
Yes, there are trained dogs for that particular purpose, where they are used in targeted searches, but also in Airports, Harbours, at borders and Post Offices.
4) Does the police have a common platform to share all the case details? If the suspects did crime in different places/cities, with such common platform the policemen can identify some common evidence and will help policemen catch the suspects?
There is a common software which is used by the police officers to register all the cases that are under investigation.
5) What are effective deterrents: Alarm signs or security-company signs? Cameras? Internal lights on timers? External lights: motion-sensitive or heat-sensitive, timed? Do motion-sensitive or heat-sensitive lights often come on when they shouldn’t? Noise, i.e. leaving a radio/TV switched on? Keeping blinds/curtains drawn at night? When away? Neighborhood Watch signs on the building?
All the above are very good measures, but above all remember that burglars prefer easy targets. Make your home a difficult target to reduce your chances of being the next victim. The following precautionary measures or a combination thereof may be taken:
- Always lock the doors and windows when you are away from home, even for a short time.
- Close the shutters and curtains so that burglars cannot see what is inside the house.
- Never open the door without making sure that you know the visitor. Check out who's there from the "eye" or via the door phone or the door intercom.
- Insert a safety chain onto the door.
- Do not give any keys to cleaners or other strangers.
- Do not leave a second key under pots or mats.
- Do not leave the key in the door lock, neither externally nor internally.
- Do not leave keys of your home in your car when you take it for washing, repairing or servicing.
- For extra security, install external locks, locks that provide a high level of security or a solid door with a high
security lock. Security systems can be installed in the windows.
- Ensure that the outer perimeter of your house has good lighting. For economy put motion sensors.
- Install an alarm system.
- Install a timer for lighting. If it is not possible, in your absence leave some lights on.
- Do not notify anyone, whether on social media, locally or professionally, with information about assets that you
have in your home, or that you will be absent for some time. There is always the possibility that the information
may reach a burglar.
- Do not leave large amounts of money at home.
- Gold and other valuable items - it is preferable to store them in safes or boxes according to their value.
Also be photographed for recognition if needed.
- If you live in an apartment building, make sure that the main entrance of the building is closed and that unknown people cannot enter.
- A good enclosure, offers more security to your home.
- Try to get to know your neighbors and cultivate with them a relationship of trust and mutual support.
- When you are absent, forward the incoming calls of your home phone either on your mobile phone or
on the phone of a relative, trusting friend.
- Avoid giving any signs that you are away, eg. a message to the answering machine, posting on social media,
stacked mail in the mailbox.
- For any suspicious presence or movement, inform the police immediately. You may prevent the commission of a crime.
6) How to Deal with an intruder: Should one try to be quiet and hope not to be found before help arrives (assuming an alarm system), or make a noise and hope they go away?
If you notice the presence of an intruder, call the police and wait from a safe distance. Don’t try to capture, arrest or pursue him it’s police job to do that, because it’s difficult and dangerous. If you cannot avoid him and have to confront him, try to talk to him in a calm way until he leaves or help arrives and call the police.
7) What is legitimate force in defending oneself or property? What is effective? Shining a strong flashlight into intruder’s eyes? What are the limits of self-defense in accordance with Cyprus laws? Is there any translation of the relevant laws into English?
With any act of violence against the burglar, you commit the offense of the attack unless the attack was done for self-defense (emergency) and is a defense before the court. In particular, defense and the use of force to avoid the attack is under certain conditions legitimate, but it should aim to repel an attack. The psychological situation of the individual who advocates self-defense should also be taken into account in the sense that self-defense was necessary if, in the circumstances, the individual believed that he needed to protect himself or his property. - Article 242, Chapter 154 (Penal Code of the Republic of Cyprus).
Emergency: - Article 17, Chapter 154 (Penal Code of the Republic of Cyprus).
An act or omission which would otherwise be an offense may not be imputed to the burden
of what he did if he pion was done only to prevent consequences which could not be
avoided otherwise and would not be avoided would cause irreversible and irreparable harm to
the same or to other persoroves that the following coexisted:
(a) That the act or omissions it was obliged to protect.
(b) that the act done did not exceed what was reasonably necessary;
(c) That the harm done was not disproportionate (greater) than what was prevented
For further information on Cypriot Legislation, please visit www.cylaw.org
8) Is barbed wire or razor wire acceptable?
A stable and high-level safety fencing is effective, whether from iron rails or built. But it should be done in accordance with the town planning specifications of your Municipality / Community Council.
9) What kind of self-defense equipment is it allowed in Cyprus to keep at home and use in case of attack? (e.g. pepper spray, stun gun/tasers, anything else? What size of knife?)
It is forbidden to possess any aggressive instrument or weapon for self-defense purposes
10) What kind of arms are the licensed security guards allowed to carry on duty in Cyprus?
They are only allowed to own a bat.
11) Does the Police not invest in sending people off to other countries, such as Sweden and Norway that have had success in fighting Crime?
Several members of Cyprus Police have been trained or participated in several police courses held in various European countries, UK and USA. (eg.FBI)
12) Do you keep statistics for Hotels and tourists targeted?
No
13) Gas was used to put asleep one Tala family and their 2 dogs. Was it only one case, and are we allowed to put any gas detectors to prevent this?
You are allowed to install gas detectors.
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