With the dramatic security environment chan­­ging around the Mediterranean littoral, it is inevitable that organised crime will increase in Malta. Running in parallel with potential terrorism activity and strikes, there need to be countermeasures implemented quickly. Critically, CCTV could be the solution.

With the Italian economy almost on the verge of collapse and the fact that Southern Italy and Sicily are particularly depressed, it means that Italian organised crime is looking to ‘other markets’.

Malta’s close proximity to Sicily means that organised crime’s traditional activities will inevitably be on the rise in Malta.

Of course, there is also the mayhem of Libya and other North African countries that is creating a major refugee flow into Southern Europe. Hundreds of thousands are in transit or will be trying to break free from the chaos.

Many terrorism analysts think that Isis will put sleeper agents in these refugee flows.

The solution is to secure Malta with the installation of a robust CCTV network. Although the Maltese government is supporting stronger border control measures, this step is not enough. CCTV reduces crime by increasing the likelihood that offenders will be caught, arrested and punished, then deported, which means it is a critical part of modern urban centres to protect commercial and residential areas from both crime and terrorism. CCTV, ultimately, is the only way to achieve a successful deterrent.

There are also countries where CCTV cameras and lessons learned after operation come into account. The best example is in the UAE. In the Emirates, the installation of CCTV cameras is rising significantly as a safety move.

The system is working well as crime barely registers in official statistics. Terrorist attacks are almost unheard of in the UAE and there is evidence that terror attacks were thwarted because of CCTV monitoring and tracking.

It is a critical part of modern urban centres to protect commercial and residential areas from both crime and terrorism

For Malta, CCTV systems would typically consist of cameras with monitors and digital recorders. The cameras may be fixed or they may literally have a roaming eye and can even be installed in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones. Biometric systems for CCTV are also becoming fashionable, with face recognition software.

Maltese security would be greatly enhanced with such systems and become a ‘force multiplier, when combined with border control and fast speedboats around the island.

Nowadays police need to take into consideration that their approach is not only about situational crime prevention strategies but also about behavioural analysis. A well-designed digital video surveillance system and operational strategy will aid EU counter-crime and counter-terrorism efforts by providing monitoring, surveillance and intelligence gathering. Maybe EU and Interpol assistance could be requested by Malta.

Britain leads the world in CCTV technology. Perhaps Malta’s Home Affairs Ministry should ask the British Home Office to send a team from Scotland Yard to provide a survey and a plan for the extensive installation of a network of CCTV cameras in the main affluent and tourist areas of Malta, with a centralised command and control centre.

It is important to establish a consultancy or a blue ribbon panel of police, local authority and CCTV experts who are world-recognised. Could it be in part funded by the EU?

Once established, it is important to follow international CCTV doctrinal practice to give any future system in Malta a solid foundation. For example in the UK, it is good practice and a requirement of BS EN 50132-7 to follow the Home Office Police Scientific Development Branch advice.

This states that, before a suitable CCTV system can be specified, it is essential that an initial assessment is undertaken in order to determine the system scope, objectives and requirements.

Specifically, the Maltese police would be responsible in the general area of coverage, using crime pattern analysis statistics, the blue ribbon panel would focus on the availability of services and planning consents and the CCTV consultants with experience in urban surveillance would be responsible for the positioning of advanced CCTV technology and or the deployment of UAVs. This prudent approach is not an expensive venture; it is estimated at a total of under €35 million.

How to fund CCTV is a major consideration if EU funding assistance is unavailable. One idea is to levy a special, low percentage tax on casinos that oblige them to assist in financing the Malta CCTV network. After all it is in their interests that Malta be seen as safe and secure. Monaco did the same several decades ago.

Clearly, the Maltese government must consider the implementation of some or all of these ideas now to safeguard its people and interests.

Richard Galustian is a security analyst

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