Cypriot police received 18 million euros for overtime work

Cypriot police units received 18 million euros for overtime in 2024. The payments have increased due to the escalating situation in the Middle East and anti-terrorism measures.
According to figures presented to parliament by Justice and Public Order Minister Marios Hartsiotis, €18,060,192 was spent on overtime until 30 September 2024.
The total overtime allocation amounts to €5,400,000. An additional appropriation of €15,000,000 has been requested for the Police Overtime Unit.
The increase in overtime is due to increased security measures taken in crowded places (squares, shopping centres, bakeries) on terrorism issues, measures taken in the framework of prevention and fight against crime, for police sports activities, prevention of traffic accidents and regulation of illegal immigration issues.
It is reported that by the end of September 2024, 4,334 serious crimes were reported in Cyprus with a clearance rate of 80.55 per cent, including drug-related cases. In the corresponding period of 2023, 4,109 serious offences were recorded with a detection rate of 76.93%.
Compared to 2023, there was an increase of 5.48% in the number of serious offences. Cases of destruction of property by explosives, arson and theft show the lowest detection rate as they do not exceed 10 per cent.