Police recorded three fires at Nicosia schools on the night before the start of the school year

Three fires broke out at schools in Nicosia district on the night before the start of the school year: rubbish bins and car tyres were set alight. This was reported to CNA by Cyprus Police representative Viron Vyronos.

Police officers were on duty outside schools throughout the night as part of an operation conducted across the country. Its aim was to prevent vandalism and parties traditionally organised by graduating students in school buildings on the night before the first bell.

The operation was preceded by a meeting at the Ministry of Education, where an action plan was drawn up to prevent a repeat of the damage and disorder recorded at the beginning of previous school years.

“The night was relatively calm; there were minor problems,” Vyronos said. “In some cases, bins and tyres near schools were set alight, but there were only three such incidents. Everything else passed without incident.”

All three incidents occurred in Nicosia district; no similar cases were recorded in other parts of Cyprus. On Monday, patrols and periodic checks of schools continued as a precautionary measure. “So far, we have nothing to report,” the police representative added.

According to police, the operation proved effective: there were fewer cases of deliberate property damage and disorder than in previous years. The school year in Cyprus began on 7 September, with 41,280 gymnasium and lyceum students returning to their desks.