Greece’s “Safe Youth” panic button, a new initiative to protect young people from violence, will officially launch next Monday, Citizen Protection Minister Michalis Chrisochoidis announced in an interview with MEGA television on Thursday.
The tool, described by Chrisochoidis as “complex and very useful,” works alongside the 10201 emergency phone line, allowing children and adults to quickly report violent incidents for immediate police intervention. The initiative aims to address growing concerns about youth-targeted violence in Greece.
Chrisochoidis highlighted a sharp increase in arrests of minors, which reached 12,000 in the first 10 months of 2024, compared to 8,600 during the same period in 2023. Most arrests involved teenagers, underscoring the urgency of the new measures.
The minister also commented on the recent deadly explosion in an apartment in Ambelokipi, Athens, which has been linked to terrorism. The incident, which killed one person and seriously injured another, was described as “abhorrent” and “antidemocratic.” An investigation is underway to determine whether more individuals were involved. Meanwhile, 40 families displaced by the explosion are staying in hotels, awaiting clearance to return to their homes.
In addition, Chrisochoidis announced plans to introduce tougher penalties for weapons possession and implement bans on certain types of knives as part of broader efforts to reduce violent crime and enhance public safety across Greece.