Police told to increase frequency of inspections in St Pauls Bay area

Home affairs minister Carmelo Abela has said that the Police had been asked to increase the frequency of inspections in the St Pauls Bay area in order to ensure that those breaking the law are brought to justice.

Abela made these remarks in response to a parliamentary question put forward by Opposition MP Censu Galea who asked when the police had last carried out “inspections” in the St Pauls Bay area, with regard to “problems of social and racial conflicts that are being cause in the locality.”

“Owing to the fact that the issue related to the behaviour of certain foreigners that either live in St Pauls Bay or who frequent the region, is often the subject of harsh criticism (kitbiet ta’ natura iebsa) on the part of Maltese people, as well as other foreigners, can the minister give any information on what precautions are being taken by the police to ensure that the presence in our country, of those living in the area, is in fact regular,” asked Galea

Abela replied that district police do everything they can to ensure that nobody is breaking the law during their patrols, adding that in addition to the police, this was also done by immigration officials.

“It is worth pointing out that other sections that are on patrol in the area also take action when they discover incidences of the law being broken. In light of the question, all the relevant sections within the police force are being asked to watch over and carry out more frequent inspections so that those responsible for breaking the law are investigated and processed as is the norm in similar cases,” said Abela.

Abela was also asked by Galea whether the police had investigated who was behind graffiti, written in Serbian, at various sites in the area to which Abela replied that the police were investigating the case, however no arrests have so far been made.

“I am informed that the police force is taking steps to avoid incidences of graffiti in the Serbian language and is investigating who could have been behind them,” he said.