Intensive checks to tackle delinquency linked to lambradjies (Easter bonfires) will begin immediately, with offenders facing arrest and parents of minors also held accountable where offences arise, Justice Minister Costas Fitiris said on Tuesday.

Fitiris said the aim was to ensure the traditional custom remains a celebration.

“We want this custom to be a celebration and not a risk,” he said, adding that a joint plan with local authorities and emergency services would be implemented to prevent the situation from escalating.

Referring to incidents in previous years, including a fatality, the minister warned that youth delinquency had increasingly manifested around the lambradjia tradition “in a very negative way”.

“Checks and actions will begin from today so that we can limit this phenomenon and ensure it is truly a celebration and not a danger,” he added.

Union of municipalities president Andreas Vyras said concerns had been raised with the minister over “serious problems” emerging in many neighbourhoods soon after Christmas, with unlawful behaviour often occurring under the pretext of the bonfire custom.

In some cases, he warned, “lives are put at risk”, recalling incidents last year in Strovolos where flares were fired at police officers.

Vyras stressed the need for early and coordinated planning by police, the fire service and municipalities, particularly in areas where the most serious issues are recorded, noting that “human life is far more important”.

Asked whether parents would be arrested in cases involving minors, Fitiris said police had been instructed to proceed with arrests of both underage offenders and to assign responsibility to parents in cases such as damage to public property.

“We must all act responsibly in this effort,” he said, adding that delinquency must be addressed “by all available means”.

He confirmed that checks would be stepped up significantly, with offenders facing arrest, and stressed that parents “must also understand they bear responsibility”.

“It is unacceptable to see children aged 10 or 13 out at 2am collecting wood and lighting fires with tyres and other materials,” he said.

Controls are expected to intensify further in the days leading up to Holy Saturday, while municipalities have already informed police of the most problematic hotspots.

Police have drawn up specific action plans for the Easter period, including increased presence in key locations and intensified checks. Preventive and awareness campaigns are also being rolled out.

The ministry stressed that the state does not seek to abolish the tradition, but to ensure it is carried out safely and without risk to human life or damage to property.

“Tradition has value when accompanied by responsibility,” it said. “All – the state, local authorities, police and society – must act in coordination to prevent a repeat of past incidents.”