Police continue to crackdown on criminal activity in downtown Athens.
According to Greece's Citizen Protection Minister, Michalis Chrisochoidis, authorities will persist with efforts to turn high-crime parts of the capital into “regular neighbourhoods."
His comments were made during a visit to the Agios Panteleimonas precinct on Wednesday.
To increase the sense of security among citizens in downtown areas of Athens and the suburbs where the crime rate has risen in recent years, Chrisochoidis said the general presence of law enforcement will be strengthened.
“In a very short time, this entire effort will start bringing results and the area will truly become an area of social coexistence, where people can enjoy their neighbourhood,” the minister said.
According to Kathimerini, the Hellenic Police (ELAS) conducted 52 crime-fighting operations from May 15 to the start of August in Agios Panteleimonas, Pedion tou Areos, Sepolia, Vathi Square, Omonia and other parts of downtown Athens with a high incidence of street crime.
In these operations, officers questioned 1,605 people and made 137 arrests, of which 52 were for illegal immigration, 50 for drug violations, 26 for illegal trade and three for illegal arms.
Officers also confiscated 291 grams of heroin, 528 pills of different controlled substances, €1,000 in cash and a plethora of bootleg products.
