The Cyprus Ministry of Justice has planned a major modernization of law enforcement and corrections infrastructure, with new spending of €6.49 million included in the 2026 draft budget to expand the PhotoRadar traffic camera and radar system.
For the first time, the system will include a database of Turkish Cypriot vehicles, which will allow tracking of unpaid fines recorded by traffic cameras. Until now, there was no mechanism for collecting violations from Turkish Cypriots, resulting in tens of thousands of unpaid fines. The new tool should improve the efficiency of control and enforcement.
In addition, the police budget for 2026 includes other significant infrastructure costs:
2.75 million euros - for the construction of a new helicopter site in Solea; 400 thousand euros - to complete the construction of a police station in Panaye; 1.19 million euros - for the development of a program for protecting witnesses; 970 thousand euros - to create a security center in the energy hub of Vasilikos; 90 thousand euros - for new buildings of the FAMAGUST police department; 60 thousand euros - for the needs of the Morfu police; 300 thousand euros - for insulators for the temporary maintenance of minors in Menoe; 1.08 million euros - to the management of the Center for the detention of children in conflict with the law; 560 thousand euros - for the work of a driving school for violators of traffic rules.
The police communications department also requested 18 thousand euros for the services of an SMM expert to increase transparency, the involvement of society and improve anti-crisis communications.
Separate measures will affect the penitentiary sector - 2.5 million euros have been allocated for the modernization of prison equipment. It is planned to purchase electronic monitoring bracelets, scanners, detection and blocking systems for mobile phones and drones, as well as update the video surveillance network.
The largest expense item - 12.26 million euros - will go to the construction of a new closed prison with 360 seats. In addition, plans to create sports infrastructure for open penitentiary institutions and landscaping.
The Ministry of Justice emphasized that the planned measures are aimed at increasing security, effective law enforcement and improving the living conditions of prisoners, as well as developing more modern and fair mechanisms for the work of law enforcement agencies.
Source: Cyprus-Mail.com
