A recent spate of burglaries in Sliema has left residents, especially the elderly, extremely worried about the security of their homes. They are concerned about the inadequate level of police response.

According to police sources, thieves using sophisticated tools, such as “bump keys”, have burgled more than 15 homes since the beginning of August, targeting apartments and taking cash, jewellery and electronic equipment.

Sliema probably has the largest proportion of elderly people in Malta. As a generalisation, they enjoy some of the best-appointed homes and some affluent people live in them. It is therefore inevitable that burglars are attracted to this town where they think they can prey on vulnerable people. The annual crime statistics tend to show a regular trend of high thefts or burglaries there (as well as in neighbouring St Julian’s).

Last year, when similar concerns had arisen in Sliema, the police and local council had moved commendably quickly to try and allay concerns. Police patrols in Sliema were temporarily strengthened and the then Minister for Home Affairs and National Security and Acting Police Commissioner held public consultation meetings with the council.

While such action is no more than a balm to public concern to allay an elderly and, therefore, vulnerable group of residents, it would appear that this year this has not happened.

The only response by the police has been to urge practical steps be taken by residents themselves to deter potential thieves by making it more difficult to gain access. The police have sensibly suggested that residents should not leave their homes unattended during evening hours and should consider installing burglar alarms and/or surveillance systems.

In reality, the two – action by the police to enhance the number of patrols and their visible presence on the streets, and practical improvements to household security – should go hand in hand. Individual householders also have a responsibility to try to prevent crime. These are often opportunist and happen because householders have not taken the necessary precautions. Houses and apartments, as well as shops, should be securely locked. Burglar alarms in high-risk areas should be installed.

The possibility of communities setting up their own Neighbourhood Watch schemes should also be considered. These lend themselves well to the Sliema area where most people know each other and where strangers behaving suspiciously stand out.

It should only take the minimum of organisation in conjunction with the police to get local Neighbourhood Watch schemes up and running. There is unfortunately a complacent streak in the Maltese character that thinks “somebody else” should do something to keep them secure in their homes. Neighbourhood Watch schemes enable the community to involve themselves in making their homes safe. The police cannot be everywhere all the time.

Nonetheless, the police have the paramount responsibility to help make citizens feel secure and to respond quickly to citizens’ concerns when problems arise. This spate of burglaries in Sliema is one such case. Reports seem to indicate that the police response to date has been dilatory. The Police Commissioner has a duty to act more positively to allay genuine concerns.

We like to present Malta as a place that is secure and where crime is low. In general, this is an accurate picture. But Sliema presents a blemish on this picture, which needs to be tackled by a combination of proactive police action and individual citizens’ awareness, sense of responsibility and common sense self-help to prevent crime.