Tourism plays an important role in the Maltese economy, both directly and indirectly, so it is an issue that needs the various stakeholders to address it with deep attention.

Summer sees a major increase in tourist arrivals spearheaded by the influx of language students who tend to congregate in various complexes in the areas of St Julian’s, Sliema and obviously Swieqi.

This automatically puts a further strain on the already limited resources of local councils.

Over the past years Swieqi has witnessed a vast increase in the number of apartment blocks being built for the sole purpose of housing language students who come to the lower parts of Swieqi, due to the vicinity to Paceville.

In itself this is not a negative thing, as Swieqi is already composed of several nationalities that have made it their home over the years and today also contribute to the well-being of the locality.

Issues arise, though, when these foreign students start causing annoyance in various forms to residents, and at ungodly hours. This is not only about music being played at all hours of the day but we are now starting to witness a rise of vandalism to cars and houses, and obscene acts being committed in the street.

Throughout the year, this is a common occurrence during weekends, when the Maltese turn to Paceville for their entertainment. But it becomes a daily ordeal in the summer months.

Swieqi deserves better.

We have no social housing in the locality, no government schools and very few open spaces. Residents of Swieqi are some of the biggest contributors in taxes tothe country.

We do not ask much from the government, but security is something that we need the government to invest in further.

It should be noted that finally we have a police station in the locality and it’s a start, but a population of over 10,000 residents cannot be served by just three policemen, so that when they are called out the station has to close. We need to have a police station manned 24 hours a day and more resources given to it during the summer months.

We want action not words. We want to live our lives like the rest of the Maltese residents, not worrying about what kind of vandalism we are going to discover the next day on our cars or properties

Residents are also requesting the government to implement its electoral promise of setting up the so-called tourism police. As an elected member of the council it is my duty to keep reminding the government of its electoral pledges to the people of Swieqi. Swieqi residents want action not words.

Apart from a continuously manned police station we need police on patrol throughout the summer nights. Prevention is better than cure and having a constant police presence in the area can serve as a deterrent to persons with intent to commit a crime or misdemeanour.

As a council we also have to keep up the pressure for the installation of CCTV cameras in strategic locations. These would also serve as a possible deterrent and help to identify perpetrators of criminal acts.

Here I feel obliged to thank residents who have installed cameras on their own properties and who provide the police with valuable information when these vile acts occur. Council and residents have to work hand in hand to make Swieqi that little bit better.

Residents are starting to contribute and to make their voice heard on this issue. It was encouraging to see a large number of people walking through the locality to express their frustration with the current situation.

As an elected representative on the council, I joined residents in this demonstration. I listened to the message being conveyed and the suggestions being proposed.

It is encouraging that these residents expressed their wish to work hand in hand with the council to produce results. It is clear that we all have to pull together to get the results needed more quickly and more efficiently.

Swieqi deserves better treatment from those who visit it for work or leisure. Residents deserve their much needed rest and we, as elected representatives of the people, must ensure that we give residents peace of mind.

Swieqi deserves much better from the government, which talks a lot but implements little; the police station was needed but, if it does not have the personnel to man it, there might as well not be a police station at all.

We want action not words. We want to live our lives like the rest of Maltese residents, not worrying about what kind of vandalism we are going to discover the next day on our cars or properties.

Residents’ representatives are morally obliged to ensure that the work will not stop and that pressure will be brought to bear until these issues are well and truly addressed for the benefit of residents.

Mauro Miceli is a Nationalist member of the Swieqi local council.