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Serious crime in Cyprus is going up again, slowly, quietly, but steadily, and the latest official figures suggest it’s becoming a trend rather than a one-off spike.
According to new data from the Cyprus Statistical Service, nearly 6,000 serious crimes were recorded in 2024. That’s more than in 2023 and more than the year before. The crime rate per 100,000 people has now risen for three years in a row.
In plain terms: more serious crimes are being reported, and more people are feeling the impact.
Homes and people are both being hit
Property crimes, burglaries, thefts, and break-ins are still the most common. They make up about one in three serious crimes. Even though their share dropped slightly, they remain the top worry for many households.
But here’s the part that should make people pause: crimes against the person, like assaults, now come second. That means it’s not just about stolen items anymore; it’s about people getting hurt.
More victims, more damage
Last year alone, more than 6,600 victims were recorded. Most were ordinary people. Others were businesses.
Individuals were mainly targeted in violent or personal crimes, while businesses were hit by offenses that affect the public at large. Either way, the numbers show that crime is touching more corners of daily life.
Crime is still mostly a male story, but youth crime is climbing
Men continue to make up the vast majority of serious offenders. Women account for a small share, and that hasn’t changed much.
What has changed, and sharply, is youth crime.
In 2024, nearly 800 minors were involved in criminal offenses, a big jump from the year before. Almost 470 of those cases involved serious crimes. Property offenses were the most common, even among teenagers.
It’s the kind of statistic that makes parents, teachers and communities stop and think.
Fewer court cases, mostly fines
Despite the rise in crime, fewer people ended up in court last year. The number of cases dropped significantly.
When convictions did happen, most were for traffic offenses, and the punishment was usually a fine. Prison sentences were far less common.
That raises an uncomfortable question many readers will ask: are crimes going up while consequences stay the same?
Prisons aren’t filling up, but repeat offenders remain
Cyprus’ prison population stayed fairly stable in 2024, with just under 1,000 inmates. Most prisoners were adults, and fewer people were sent to prison compared with 2023.
Most inmates were first-time prisoners. Still, among those who had been jailed before, many returned within a year, often for the same offense.
The bottom line
There’s no crime wave sweeping the island, but the numbers tell a story that’s hard to shrug off.
Serious crime is rising. More people are becoming victims. Youth involvement is growing. And while fewer cases reach the courts, the sense of unease is creeping in.
For a country that prides itself on safety and community, that’s a conversation Cyprus can’t afford to postpone.
