Faliraki's mayor slams tourists

The Mayor of Faliraki today compared loutish British tourists running amok on his island to "mindless soccer thugs".

Ioannis Iatrides promised to give police greater powers to tackle the hooliganism ruining the island's reputation. "This is not an anti-British move," he said. "But the problem should be compared to one which was solved, namely that of British soccer hooliganism.

"British football is admired worldwide. But the hooligans spoilt its image. There was international co-operation and the problem was solved. We need to do the same about holiday hooligans."

Police are taking action after the most troubled summer in Greek tourism history, which has seen an increase in sex attacks and violence and resulted in the murder last week of 17-year old Irishman Paddy Doran, from Peterborough.

Peter Navarro, 21, of Merseyside, has been jailed pending trial after confessing to the killing.

Lieutenant General Ilias Halivopoulos, the highest-ranking police chief covering the island, said: "We are trying to protect both Greek tourism and the vast majority of Britons."

An emergency conference attended by the island's leaders and British tourism operators was held last week to discuss ways of combating the problem.

As a result, drinking is no longer permitted on the streets. Special offers enticing tourists to drink to excess will also be quashed and there will be an increase in the number of police on patrol.