Policing policy in Paceville must change under the Labour Government, according to the association representing the area’s businesses.
There must be a zero-tolerance policing approach not only to violence but to all anti-social behaviour in the area
One year on from the attack that killed a Sudanese man outside a bar, the Paceville Commercial Establishments Association (PCEA) said no significant improvements had been made to police the district known for its bars and clubs.
“There must be a zero-tolerance policing approach not only to violence but to all anti-social behaviour in the area,” said PCEA president Mark Grima.
A report on security and order in Paceville was published by the Social Affairs Committee last November in response to a spate of well-publicised violent incidents.
However, Parliament was dissolved just weeks later and the report was left on the backburner during the March 9 election campaign, which led to a change in government.
Mr Grima, who owns establishments in Paceville, said the association was seeking separate meetings with the new Tourism and Home Affairs ministers to discuss concerns raised in the report, which had input from all stakeholders.
The PCEA wants a holistic approach to law and order involving commercial establishments, police, residents, local councils and the public themselves.
Asked about CCTV in the area, Mr Grima said there should be a coordinated system installed on the streets of Paceville and surrounding residential areas that was monitored by private security personnel.
“This would allow them to identify incidents as they happen so they can be prevented, rather than having to trawl through footage afterwards trying to identify the culprits,” he said.
He suggested that central or local government should make the initial investment for the CCTV equipment, but the PCEA was not against investing if all members agreed.
Allowing trained security personnel to monitor the cameras would relieve some pressure from police resources, he said.
Currently, most CCTV footage in Paceville is provided by clubs’ own cameras installed to monitor problems inside their premises and at the doors.
These cameras were mainly used to check for evidence after crimes were committed and were insufficient for preventing illegalities on the streets, Mr Grima said.
CCTV footage used as evidence in trials of those accused of causing Osama Al Shzliaoy Saleh’s death last year and another Sudanese man in 2009 was unclear and inconclusive, prompting anger from the victims’ loved ones.
Lawyer Anthony Farrugia, who heads the Group Acting for a Safer Paceville, said there was a greater police presence now than in 2011, when he started the group after his 22-year-old son was attacked.
“We need to emphasise that effective policing can solve 90 per cent of the problems in Paceville,” said Dr Farrugia, echoing similar comments he made to the Social Affairs Committee.
Marsa Open Centre director Ahmed Bugri was asked if Paceville was now safer for Africans since Mr Saleh’s death.
Although he has not visited the area himself, Mr Bugri said those he spoke to were quite positive and said it had become easier for Africans to access certain clubs.
“They go in groups to watch out for each other. They are also careful not to get into fights. However, a majority of those I spoke to felt that the police do not want to get involved in issues regarding migrants, even when they ask for protection,” he said.