Over 3000 Arrests in Public Transport: Ariadne Plan Transforms Safety in Attica
From Attica Metro Station where the police shift begins Lieutenant Sotiris Axouristos announced the success of the Ariadne security program launched by ELAS to enhance safety in public transport across Attica.
Since its pilot launch in 2021 the program has expanded to include the metro electric trains and buses achieving remarkable results in 2025 with over 90000 inspections and 3000 arrests.
Axouristos explained in an interview with ERTnews that the plan has significantly reduced crime rates and gained positive engagement from citizens who communicate with the police daily.
He added: Passengers now look for our presence even on buses without officers because they feel safe when they see the uniform.
The officer emphasized that the programs success does not rely only on regular patrols but also on plainclothes officers working discreetly to support security and monitoring efforts.
He said: Some colleagues assist us in plain clothes so they are not visible but citizens usually approach the uniformed officers for help.
Regarding the types of crimes reported in public transport Axouristos stated that thefts drug use and weapons possession are the most common along with some minor fights among teenagers and harassment incidents.
He clarified that the increase in arrests does not necessarily indicate higher crime levels but reflects intensive security vigilance noting that some detentions occur because the suspect cannot justify their presence or behaves suspiciously.
Axouristos concluded by affirming that the program continues to evolve to cover all transport lines in Attica adding that the Ariadne plan has become a model of preventive security in Greece thanks to direct communication between police and citizens and their cooperation in creating a safer transport environment.