Local council employee 'threatened'

An incident during which an employee of the San Gwann local council was threatened at the council's office yesterday elicited the condemnation of the council, the Association of Local Councils (AKL) and the Association of Executive Secretaries of Local Councils (ASKLM).

The council said a person entered the council's office and threatened one of the employees while she was performing her duties.

A report was lodged with the police.

The council said council employees should be respected rather than hindered in their duties.

ASKLM secretary Paul Gatt noted that such incidents involving council officials were becoming more frequent and he appealed to the authorities to bring those responsible to justice.

AKL executive secretary Jimmy Magro said the government, in full respect of the autonomy of local councils, should provide funds to install the necessary security measures at local council offices while these remained accessible to the public.

Many of the measures taken by local councils were based on laws or policies that had been approved by Parliament. The government and the councils were obliged to safeguard such laws and policies, Mr Magro said.

AKL also appealed to anyone who has some problem with the council or who feels an injustice has been committed to use the country's institutions to seek a remedy instead of resorting to verbal or physical threats.