[WATCH] After Bugibba brawl, PN leadership candidate Said proposes ‘harsh laws and patrols’

After Bugibba brawl, PN leadership candidate Said proposes ‘harsh laws and patrols’

Roaming security patrols, new legislation and the practice to name and shame need to be introduced to handle the rising ‘pack’ criminality in localities like Bugibba, St Paul’s Bay, Qawra and Swieqi, Nationalist Party leadership hopeful Chris Said said this morning. 

Said, who was addressing a press conference in the main square in Bugibba, said these localities had made the news lately for large brawls and pack vandalism on private property. 

“It is well known that many foreigners live in these localities and this is not a problem as long as everyone obeys the law,” he said. 

Said is contesting the PN leadership together with Adrian Delia, Alex Perici Calascione and Frank Portelli. The new leader will be elected on 16 September. 

He said these problems were not a new phenomenon but noted that they had reached new heights. 

“A group of foreigners felt they could terrorise all law-abiding residents in these localities,” he said. “The choice PN members and councillors will make in September will not only influence the party but will affect the whole country since the person elected would also become leader of the Opposition.”

Said suggested that security committees be set up in these localities, composed of representatives of the police, local council and business community. 

“I am also recommending that new legislation be introduced to regulate brawls and vandalism involving a large number of people,” he said. “Roaming guardians should also be introduced to maintain a constant preventive measure in the communities.”

Said said that legislation should be amended to add as an aggravated crime the element of damage to tourist areas. 

He also said that the police force needed to regain its reputation through good practices. 

“I am also recommending that we introduce an element of name and shame, whereby persons found guilty of such crimes would be publicly identified, including through adequate pictures,” he said. 

Said said that the much-touted tourism police needed to make their presence felt in these localities, since they were hardly ever seen. 

All residents – be they Maltese or foreigners – had a right to live peacefully without any fear or intimidation, he said.