A mobile police station inaugurated a few days ago in Marsascala by Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia has no planning permit yet – only a temporary clearance from the planning authority.

A spokesman for Mepa told Times of Malta that the container-turned-police station will have to be removed by February.

He explained that if the police want to keep the structure in place after that, they would have to apply for a full development permit.

“The authority received a request for planning clearance from the police and we issued a clearance valid for four months,” a Mepa spokesman said.

The Home Affairs Ministry has not said whether the mobile station, inaugurated by Dr Mallia, is there to stay.

Asked to say how long it would be in place, his spokeswoman declined to reply.

Neither did the ministry say whether the same initiative was being considered for other villages without a police station.

During the inauguration ceremony, Dr Mallia said the mobile station would beef up the police presence in the locality. Another one is planned for Paceville.

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