Swieqi wants stronger police presence

The Swieqi local council has joined the fray in calling for a stronger police presence in Paceville and the surrounding areas, saying this was “long overdue”.

It said that what was being said about the need of policing in Paceville and the surrounding areas was what the council had been harping on for years.

The call comes a day after the Federation of English Language Teaching Organisations of Malta called for a “zero tolerance policy” to be adopted against any form of violence in Paceville.

The local council said that “the Swieqi area by itself merits police resources relative to its now substantial dimensions”, especially due to its proximity to an entertainment hotspot like Paceville.

“Maintaining public order cannot be treated lightly in the interests of the physical safety of our residents and families. The authorities are in duty bound to also bear in mind the residents’ property and their right to enjoy the tranquillity of their homes,” it said.

The council called on the government “to act without delay” and give the police the required trained personnel and equipment and promised to remain at the disposal of the authorities with concrete proposals to address the “prevailing issues which have plagued us for so long”.

The calls for a safer Paceville have been sparked by a series of violent events in and around the entertainment hub. One such even spurred lawyer Anthony Farrugia to set up the Group Acting For A Safe Paceville, GASP.

Dr Farrugia set up the pressure group to confront the “lawlessness in Paceville” after his son was attacked by six thugs on June 20. GASP’s mission statement calls for more police presence in the area and better training for police.

Earlier this week, the police said the presence of officers in the streets of Paceville “has always been effective, both in preventive measures implemented and action taken when the police intervention was called for”.