Patrols not enough

The recent rioting and attacks by illegal immigrants held at the detention centre, coupled with the arrival of yet another 300, warrant more sturdy action than that contemplated by the surveillance mission proposed by the EU under Operation Malta.

Such a mission does not contemplate, for example, any action by the naval vessels to stop and tow back the immigrants' boats to their point of origin.

Such boats will continue with their venture, leaving no choice for the naval vessels but to escort them according to the traditional manner - to Haywharf!

In the wake of these events and judging by the momentum of the illegal traffic, Maltese nationals of every age should be invited to join our security service on a voluntary basis while the erstwhile territorial army should be revamped in order to assist our overstretched police force and the Armed Forces of Malta, who besides having to cope with this ever growing headache, also have their normal duties to attend to.

While on the subject of illegal immigrants, may one know how many illegal immigrants have been repatriated or returned to their point of origin? When was the last group returned and how many immigrants formed that group? And finally how are the 2,000 held under detention on the island going to be returned?

The whole thing is no joke!