A new special operation by the Athens Police Headquarters (GADA) is set to launch Thursday, targeting the removal of criminal elements, illegal immigrants, and those unlawfully occupying public spaces in the squares of central Athens. According to reporting by Giorgos Sombolos with exclusive information from Apogevmatini, the operation — dubbed “Clean Squares” — has one primary objective: to reclaim these public spaces and make them safe again for ordinary citizens. Specially trained Guard Officers who have recently completed their training will participate in the operation, moving through targeted areas in vehicles according to a pre-designed deployment plan. Until now, many of the capital’s squares have been effectively off-limits to families, the elderly, and children, who fear becoming victims of crime due to inadequate policing and the persistent presence of suspicious individuals. The goal of the Athens Police Headquarters is to make these spaces accessible — and above all, safe — for all residents of the city.
“Clean Squares” in Athens: The areas in the crosshairs and the key objectives of the plan
According to information obtained by Apogevmatini, shifts have been divided into morning and afternoon deployments. Six vehicles carrying 5–6 officers each will operate during the morning shift, with an additional six vehicles with the same number of officers active during the afternoon hours. The operational plan includes stationing one or more police vans in “problem” squares, such as Agios Panteleimonas Square, Victoria Square, Attiki Square, Metaxourgeio Square, Filopappou Square, and others.
“The squares belong to everyone — not to a minority of troublemakers and criminal elements,” Greek Police sources stressed.
Among the directives issued to officers taking part in the new operation is a mandate to stop and check all suspicious individuals. Where deemed necessary, suspects — both Greek nationals and foreign nationals — will be brought in for questioning. Petty crime in Athens’ central squares must be stopped so that citizens can move freely and feel safe. Additionally, motorcycle police units (DIAS) will be stationed nearby during operations, ready to support foot patrols in the event of a pursuit. Bag snatchers, pickpockets, chain thieves, and mobile phone thieves are all firmly in the crosshairs of the new police unit. Significant attention will also be directed at drug dealers and those selling contraband cigarettes which — according to expert research — contain extremely harmful substances, as they undergo absolutely no quality control regarding their contents.
How Athens’ major new police operation will work
According to the existing operational plan, each police van and its uniformed officers will rotate to a different square each day, unless intelligence indicates suspicious activity at a location other than the one originally scheduled. A rotating schedule of legality checks and crime-fighting operations will be maintained across the central squares. Gradually, and depending on the results of the initiative, it may be expanded to other municipalities across the greater Attica region — though this is a matter that will be considered at a later stage.
The message from the Athens Police Headquarters that needs to reach the public, as police sources emphasize, is that “the squares belong to the citizens — not to a minority of troublemakers and criminal elements.” Complaints from residents of the city center and visitors to central areas had been piling up at police headquarters for years. The increased policing under the previous plan failed to deliver the expected results, prompting the decision to launch this new operation within the next 24 hours. Both residents and shop owners will be able to contact officers directly regarding security concerns, enabling immediate raids and targeted checks.
Originally published in Apogevmatini newspaper
