Photo: newsbeast.gr
The only "industry" in Greece that is not suffering from the crisis is crime, as has become evident in recent years, taking into account the data from the relevant services. From January to July 2011 there were around 300 thefts in retail shops, 250 homes were also robbed, together with 107 mini markets and at least 30 kiosks. The incidence of crime is much higher than in the past few years and is largely due to the expansion of organized crime. From pocket-picking and theft of handbags and mobile phones to finely organized armed robberies of bank branches and homes. Extortions and kidnappings are also becoming more popular. There have been over 50 in the first seven months of this year, but they are rarely successful for the kidnappers.
The day of the big strikes was difficult for the police in the area of Attica right from the morning, after fire was opened on them before they could carry out the usual inspection of documents in the area of Markopoulos. There were no injuries but an investigation is underway, looking for suspects. According to initial information, a police patrol has identified a suspect in a car and called a supportive group of DIAS to check the passengers. Once the driver noticed the police approaching the vehicle he put his foot down and his companions started to shoot at the police.
Hours before the incident in Markopoulos, the famous plastic surgeon Andreas Futsanos also became a victim of robbery when three youths broke into his house in the northern metropolitan suburb of Kifissia early in the morning brandishing firearms and knives. They threatened his life and demanded all the cash in his home. The robbers walked off with around € 100,000 and expensive watches.
In Greece during the night between Tuesday and Wednesday a total of 12 robberies were committed. Fortunately, there were no casualties. The residents, not only of Athens' coastal districts of Glyfada, Alimos, and Voula, but also of Paleo Psychico and other affluent areas of the capital live in particular fear. "The thieves with Kalashnikov" as the Greek media have called them have already passed through these neighbourhoods. Heavily-armed criminals invade homes to take everything of value. Last time, they did not hesitate to rape a young mother in front of her husband, having seized the valuables in the home. The police are on the trail of criminals. According to the latest information, the investigation is in progress.
The average data show that approximately 20 crimes are committed per day. Despite the rise in crime, it is clear that the government has cut 700 people from the DIAS team in the region of Attica. In April 2010, DIAS operational staff amounted to 1950 people, whereas today they number 1250. Initially, Attica was divided into 170 patrol areas, which today have been reduced to 90, but there are not always enough police officers. The officers serving in the group seem concerned about the reduction of their powers. "This group is important and has achieved all of its goals," said the representative of the Metropolitan Police Vassilis Doumas. He stressed that the officers who are patrolling effectively and the motor cycles allow them to improve security in the neighbourhoods because they are readily mobile and powerful. Until now, in the capital alone, the government has cut 30% of the DIAS patrol policemen, and it is not known whether, despite rising crime rates, the cuts will continue.