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It’s no surprise that a many people that I speak to in our village have never seen a police officer on the streets, so it comes as less of a surprise to know we are one of the areas which is victim to a spate of petty robberies and burglaries.

I know we are not alone – not a day goes by without houses being ransacked and robbed all over Cyprus. The police are sometimes nearby though, on the main motorway pulling in cars all hours God sends – but looking for crooks that are robbing homes, stealing from gardens and causing misery – not a chance.

 I have never met a police officer on foot in our village, but I have met dozens of people that have been robbed – the latest case, just last week when clothes from the washing line and some ornamental garden plant pots were taken during broad daylight.

 The spike in burglaries does lead people to question the police’s ability to protect the public - and to question if they actually have a policy on this type of crime.

 The police have got to be seen and they’ve got to be doing something. Instead of flashing around in their patrol cars or pointing their speeding guns on motorway exits, wouldn't a visible police presence on foot be the answer?

 Night patrols, bobbies on the beat, community relations, creation of police organized neighbourwatch committees, a local crime phone line…just a few ideas for consideration.

 For too long there has been a disconnect between the police and the public, it is time for those empowered with the job of giving us protection and security to show themselves.