The formation of anti-crime policy, the monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of the framework in regard to addressing criminality and the activities coordination of all relevant bodies for the prevention and tackling of delinquency constitute one of the core priorities and responsibilities of the ministry.
Towards this direction a holistic approach that considers all the aspects of the delinquency phenomenon, its particular features, tendencies and dynamics in international and national levels is adopted.

The Anti-Crime Policy acts in pursuit of the fight against criminality alongside the parallel development of preventative and participatory actions to tackle crime on a social level and the continuous briefing and awareness-raising of the citizens and the members of the security forces.

Within this framework it is the first time that a significant pillar of a participatory and preventative anti-crime policy is formed on recommendation with the institutions of policing and neighbourhood watch which activate and reinforce collaboration between the Police force, the public and the local community, aiming to prevent and address the issue of delinquency.

NATIONAL ACTION PLAN FOR THE PREVENTION AND THE FIGHT AGAINST DELINQUENCY 2019-2024.

The Action Plan for the prevention and the fight against delinquency 2019-2024 includes wide and complex proposals as well as a specific timeframe for its gradual implementation within the next five years for the prevention and the fight against criminality.
The National Action Plan 2019-2014 displays six thematic areas (legislative interventions, procedural reforms, correctional penalties, the Police force, the state apparatus of the Republic of Cyprus, the continuation of actions of the National Action Plan 2012-2018) which proposes specific actions and initiatives for legislative, institutional measures, actions and innovative approaches regarding the prevention and the fight against delinquency

The ministry monitors and coordinates the Action Plan’s activities, not only for the purpose of prevention, but also for the crackdown and handling of the various manifestations of criminality.

SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEES THAT ASSIST THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE AND PUBLIC ORDER IN THE PREVENTION AND FIGHT AGAINST CRIMINALITY

Within its Anti-Crime Policy Framework, the Ministry of Justice and Public Order has formed two scientific committees to study specific criminological subjects:

1) The Scientific Institute of Anti-Crime Strategy and Security Policy, which has been appointed by the Council of Ministers with specific responsibilities and authority to conduct scientific research of crime phenomena and submit recommendations to the minister of Justice and Public Order
2) The Crime Council, a collective body comprised of representatives from public services, independent and local community organisations, aims towards improving the implementation of actions and programmes in order to prevent and tackle criminality effectively

LOCAL COUNCILS FOR THE PREVENTION OF DELINQUENCY

There are currently progressive efforts to convene local councils for the prevention of delinquency based on a collaborative prevention process where the Police force shall be assisted by the local communities in a systematic and structured basis. It involves a supportive institution to community policing, the Police force and neighbourhood watch. As a result, the crime prevention measures will be complemented by preventative measures against delinquent behaviour as well as through the means of addressing the underlying factors of delinquent and criminal behaviours. The operational framework of the local councils is at its final consultation stage with the Ministry of Labour, Welfare and Social Insurance before it is submitted to the Council of Ministers for approval.

PROTOCOL OF COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE AND PUBLIC ORDER, THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, CULTURE, SPORT AND YOUTH AND THE CYPRUS NATIONAL ADDICTIONS AUTHORITY FOR THE PREVENTION AND CRACKDOWN OF ILLICIT ADDICTIVE SUBSTANCES IN SCHOOL

The protocol has been signed for the purpose of addressing the issue of drug distribution in schools. Its primary aim is a detailed and clear record of the actions and approaches required by the personnel of all public secondary education schools in order to prevent and tackle the behaviour and misuse of illicit addictive substances by pupils in schools and establish an effective collaboration by all cooperating stakeholders. The cooperating parties will be aware in advance of their required responsibilities, in order to maximise the prospect of effective crackdown of illicit addictive substances in schools and the provision of specialised support to children).

DEVELOPMENT OF DRUG FREE ZONES AROUND SCHOOLS

A bill was prepared for the amendment of the Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances Law (29/77) in collaboration with the Cyprus National Addictions Authority in order to identify accurately the magnitude of the trafficking and distribution of narcotic drugs within a specific radius of 500 metres from the school gates or the perimeters of educational institutions, as well as the incidences which constitute such offences in terms of proportionality of sentence/sanction particularly serious. The bill has been submitted to the House of Representatives for debate and endorsement.

PANCYPRIAN SCHOOL COMPETITION OF GOOD PRACTICES FOR THE PREVENTION OF VIOLENCE

Every year, in collaboration with the ministry of Education, Culture, Sport and Youth, the Commissioner of Volunteering and Non-Governmental Organisations, a competition takes place in primary and secondary education with school awards regarding the activities and initiatives undertaken and implemented for the adaptation of good practice relevant to the prevention of violence and youth delinquency.