Early start to Easter bonfire disturbances

Police arrested nine people in Limassol on Friday, among them minors, following two raids in areas where residents had complained of groups lighting bonfires and causing a public disturbance.

Police officers arrested five youths around 10 pm outside a church where two bonfires had been lit. Others of a group of around 20 young people started running as soon as they say the police.

Some of the five caught were minors and were charged in the presence of their parents.

Around an hour later police received another call about a public disturbance caused by a group of young people in a park. Officers arrived on site where around 15 young people tried to run away.

Four of them were arrested. On one of them, a 24-year-old man, four grammes of cannabis was located, €95 in cash and a precision scale.

The 24-year-old was placed in custody, while the other three were charged and released.

During another raid in Paphos, police seized 199 firecrackers found in a bag owned by a 16-year-old boy in Timi.

During a search in a quadbike that was parked there, officers found a bag with 199 firecrackers which belonged to a 16-year-old.

The teen reportedly admitted that they belonged to him. He was charged and is to appear in court at a later stage.