Municipalities across the Paphos district have agreed to launch a coordinated effort to install CCTV cameras in public spaces, with the aim of preventing vandalism, protecting municipal property and strengthening public safety.
The decision was taken during a meeting involving mayors from across the district, as well as representatives of communities, municipalities and the Paphos District Local Government Organisation (EOA).
Joint letter to Data Protection Commissioner
Speaking after the meeting, Acting Paphos Mayor Angelos Onisiforou said Paphos Municipality had undertaken the initiative to coordinate the effort, with all municipalities in the district participating.
According to Onisiforou, it was agreed that a joint letter would be sent to the Commissioner for Personal Data Protection seeking the necessary approval for the installation and operation of CCTV systems.
He said the primary objective is to protect municipal assets, including parks, public buildings and other areas containing exposed municipal property, while also acting as a deterrent against vandalism and other unlawful behaviour.
"Our goal is for residents to feel safe," he said.
Daily incidents of vandalism
Onisiforou said the initiative was prompted by a series of recent incidents across municipalities in the district.
He noted that local authorities face damage and vandalism on a daily basis and are constantly required to carry out repairs.
According to him, the effort is being pursued in cooperation with the Police, rather than as a municipal initiative alone.
He cited the example of Paphos Municipality, which has already installed 55 cameras on smart poles throughout the city.
In a number of cases, footage from those cameras has been used by police and has assisted in solving offences committed in the city.
"In this way we are effectively creating policing coverage across the city," he said.
Calls for legislative review
Polis Chrysochous Mayor Yiotis Papachristofi described vandalism in public spaces as a nationwide problem.
He argued that the current legal framework is inadequate and should be reviewed to determine whether wider deployment of cameras can be permitted.
According to Papachristofi, if authorities want to address burglaries, thefts, drug-related crimes and other offences, wider CCTV coverage should be considered.
He also referred to police understaffing, arguing that manpower levels would need to increase severalfold to meet existing needs.
"The camera is the best police officer"
Andreas Shiikkis, Deputy Mayor of Geroskipou in the Municipality of Ierokipia, described the discussion as highly constructive.
Referring to research he had conducted, Shiikkis said there are about 940,000 cameras in London and between four and six million across the United Kingdom.
According to him, widespread camera use has contributed to a reduction in crime and delinquency of around 50%.
"The camera is the best police officer," he said, arguing that CCTV systems can serve as a valuable tool in a district facing police staffing shortages.
Next steps
The meeting forms part of a broader effort by local authorities in Paphos to use technology to protect public property, prevent vandalism and antisocial behaviour, and improve public safety.
The next step will be the preparation and submission of the joint letter to the Commissioner for Personal Data Protection, followed by the procedures required to advance the initiative.
