A Grant Agreement was signed on 20 June 2024 between the European Funds Unit of the Ministry of Interior, as the Managing Authority of the Home Affairs Funds, and the Cyprus Police, as the Beneficiary, to finance the project titled “Crime and Terrorism Combatting Measures”.

In accordance with the 2021-2027 Internal Security Fund Programme, the Cyprus Police, as the beneficiary of the project and involving the Emergency Response Unit (ERU), will implement actions which will contribute to the strengthening of the operational capabilities of the Service to effectively prevent and combat terrorism, through the purchase of specialised transport means such as armoured vehicles, specialised equipment such as internal communication systems, thermal monitoring systems, spotting scopes with a telemeter and night sight vision scopes for the police raid team and the sniper team of the Special Anti-Terrorist Squad (SAS) and the Anti-Poaching Squad of the ERU.

The main objectives of the project is to enhance the operational capabilities of the members of the ERU and the ERU departments and effectively prevent and combat terrorist or criminal action or other illegal actions against the state and the citizens.

The implementation of this project strengthens the Emergency Response Unit (ERU), the Special Anti-Terrorist Squad, the Anti-Poaching Squad, the Police Dog Sector and the Units which will use the equipment, aiming to upgrade and improve the execution of their duties so as to prevent and/or combat criminal and terrorist events.

The project is implemented within the framework of the Internal Security Fund, co-funded by the European Union and the Republic of Cyprus, with a total budget of €2,645,826.93.

Project implementation period: 01/11/2023 - 31/12/2026.