Noise pollution from clubs, restaurants and bars in Paphos, has become a major problem in district, according to its authorities.

Police are currently engaged in a concerted effort to carry out checks at night clubs and other venues to determine whether they are properly licensed and hold the correct permits to operate as they do.

To date police have issued 77 fines, Paphos police spokesman Michalis Nikolaou told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), all of which concern the broadcasting of loud music without a permit.

Deputy Mayor of Paphos, Christos Makariou, said that in the last two years a special group has been set up to evaluate submitted applications and issue permits, and that traffic police and other inspectors have been trained in the use of sound-testing equipment.

In addition to standard periodic checks, upon receipt of a complaint from a member of the public, officials go to the spot and carry out an on-site measurement at the complainant’s location, Makariou said.

In view of the start of summer season and open-air operation of entertainment and leisure venues, inspections by the municipality, as well as the police, are to be intensified, the deputy mayor said.

For his part, the president of the association of Paphos hoteliers, Thanos Michaelides, told CNA, that noise pollution has plagued the tourist industry of Paphos for many years and called for relevant laws to be implemented in practice.

Leisure venue owners representative Giorgos Neofytou added to the chorus saying that quality tourism, which is what the district is seeking to attract, necessitates dealing with the problem.