President Nikos Christodoulides on Sunday condemned the violent incidents which unfolded over the weekend between teenagers and police officers across the country, leaving havoc in their wake.
The destructive incidents led to fire services responding to 67 incidents, as youths set fire to Christmas decorations, tires, bins and wrecked school property.
“As parents, we have responsibility over our children.”
In total, 23 people were arrested for the violence which unfolded in the early hours of Saturday morning, primarily teenagers. They had begun marking ‘All cops are bastards’ Day on Friday night.
“We’re talking about children aged 13, 14, 15. Each and every one of us has to take up our responsibilities. What we saw was particularly concerning.”
He added that while the state was duty-bound to protect and create a sense of safety for the country, parents should be responsible over their children.
In one incident, one of the teenagers arrested in Larnaca led to the arrest of his father after he went to pick up his son from the police station and was found to be three times over the alcohol limit.
Specifically, 21 minors and two adults were taken into custody. Police officers attempting to restore order were attacked with stones, flares and fireworks.
Larnaca marked the worst of the violence, police said. In total, 10 people were arrested in Larnaca, nine in Nicosia and four in Limassol.
There were 25 incidents in Limassol, where youths, primarily minors were setting tires and bins on fire.
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