The government will be favourably considering the re-institution of a freephone service where public property abuse could be reported, Parliamentary Secretary Michael Falzon said today.

He was replying to Parliamentary questions by Opposition MP Jason Azzopardi.

Dr Falzon said there were 41 cases of enforcement for abuse of public property since March 2013.

H e said 1,018 inspections were made in 2012 leading to 140 actions of enforcement.

Dr Azzopardi asked about the apparent lack of serious government action for such abuse and Dr Falzon said there were procedures which had to be followed, some of which allowed prolongation and delay of enforcement through court action instituted by the perceived guilty parties.

It could also be that there was less abuse of public property.

Dr Azzopardi appealed to the government to regulate abuse protect victims. He proposed the re-institution of a freephone service which in 2012 had attracted more than 1,000 calls.

Dr Falzon said he would consider the proposal favourably.