Women comprise about 25 per cent of the police force, higher than the European average, while greater numbers are now in operational and executive roles, it was announced on Friday in an event to mark Women’s Day earlier in the week.

Assistant director of the crime prevention department Kyriaki Lambrianidou praised the progress which she says has been made in reversing the culture which previously saw women in the force predominantly in secretarial duties.

She pointed out that about one in four members of the force are now women – above the 18 per cent in Europe, according to Eurostat – while 102 hold the rank of sergeant and dozens are in the higher officer ranks.

Police chief Stelios Papatheodorou added that the 1,274 women in the force are treated equally, recognising their rights, and ensuring equality.