OVER 200 Britons were detained in Cyprus in the past year as Cyprus ranked 10th among the top 20 countries where British nationals required the most consular assistance, according to a Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) report released this week.
The report said 207 Britons were detained in Cyprus, including 39 – down from 48 in 2009 — on drugs charges, between April 2009 and March 2010.
There were two cases of rape, compared to 10 plus four sexual assaults the previous year.
In all, the local consulate was contacted for assistance in 736 cases.
The island sees some 1.3 million visitors from the UK every year while some 59,000 Britons are permanent residents.
The FCO said 112 people required hospitalisation.
“Younger British nationals in the resort areas, such as Ayia Napa, are often hospitilised due to accidents on hired quad or motor bikes, often involving alcohol,” the FCO said. “Other reasons for hospitalisation involve falls from buildings and fights when under the influence of alcohol.”
The FCO warned that most victims were unaware their holiday insurance will not pay if an accident happens while the person was intoxicated.
“For example, a young male fell from the roof of an apartment block while drunk and fractured his spine but his insurance declined to pay because he was drunk. His family had to pay more than 30,000 British pounds for an air ambulance to the UK,” the FCO said.
The report said FCO staff had also noticed an increase in the number of calls requesting help for Britons who want to return to the UK after several years of residency in Cyprus.
“Britons cite the lack of work opportunities and the economic downturn as reasons for their move, without having made provisions for a life abroad not working out and mistakenly believing the UK government will repatriate them.”
The FCO also warns of the risks of buying property on the island, both in the Turkish-occupied north and the government controlled areas.
“Many British nationals who have purchased property either in the north or south of Cyprus face problems caused by misleading advertising, the failure of developers to complete properties that have been purchased off plan, illegal construction or double selling.”
