Newsroom
Attacks against food delivery drivers have already surpassed last year's total, with police recording 24 incidents and 14 arrests between January 1 and June 30, 2026.
The number is higher than the 23 attacks recorded during the whole of 2025, when 18 people were arrested. The latest figures do not include incidents reported in July or the recent attack in Paphos in which five people were injured.
Limassol has recorded the largest number of cases this year, accounting for 13 of the 24 incidents. Nicosia follows with six cases, Paphos with four and Larnaca with one.
Police spokesman Byronos Vyronos told the Cyprus News Agency that the incidents are being treated as serious offences and investigated thoroughly.
According to police investigations so far, the main motive appears to be robbery. Vyronos said there was no evidence at this stage pointing to another established motive, although police have also dealt with cases involving alleged attacks by people of the same nationality as the victims, reportedly linked to personal disputes or financial disagreements.
Police increase prevention efforts
Police have been working with local authorities and other bodies to identify locations where delivery drivers may be at particular risk.
Officers are also carrying out operations that are not publicly visible, with the aim of identifying potential offenders before an attack takes place.
The Cyprus Police has published an English-language safety leaflet aimed specifically at food delivery drivers. Copies are expected to be distributed to drivers through their employers during meetings planned for the coming days.
The guidance advises drivers to check delivery addresses before reaching their destination and to contact customers when instructions appear unusual.
Drivers are encouraged to use well-lit locations when stopping, remain alert to anyone who appears to be following or monitoring them and avoid isolated delivery points whenever possible. Police also advise them to carry only limited amounts of cash and use cashless payments where available.
They are further advised to keep their phones accessible, secure their vehicles and belongings, and report any threats or attacks immediately.
If a driver believes they are in immediate danger, police recommend avoiding confrontation or resistance, moving to a safe public place and calling 112.
Vyronos also appealed to members of the public, public authorities and social services to pass on information that could help police identify potential offenders.
Unions seek safety guarantees
The increase in attacks is also expected to feature in negotiations over the renewal of the collective agreement covering delivery workers.
SEK and PEO are preparing proposals that include measures intended to improve workplace safety.
Neofytos Timinis, general secretary of SYXKA-PEO, said the attacks should not be viewed solely as incidents involving theft. He argued that some cases reflected hostility towards foreign workers and said robbery could be used as a pretext.
The union is also seeking greater transparency in the algorithms used by delivery platforms. Timinis said access to relevant information would allow trade unions to identify potential problems and raise them during negotiations.
Another demand concerns equipment used by drivers while working. The unions want vehicles, mobile phones and personal protective equipment to be replaced when they are damaged during an assault or workplace accident.
Charalambos Avgousti, general secretary of OMEPEGE-SEK, said a meeting with the Department of Labour Relations is expected during the first 10 days of September, formally beginning talks on the new collective agreement.
Worker safety will be among the issues put forward by the union, he said, adding that similar proposals had been discussed with government departments in the past but several had not been implemented.
One proposal involved an emergency alert system that could allow delivery drivers to signal when they are in danger. Avgousti said the idea had been discussed with the Transport Ministry and Labour Ministry, but has yet to be introduced.
