Since March 2013 there have been 41 cases of enforcement for abuse of public property.

Parliamentary Secretary Michael Falzon told Opposition MP Jason Azzopardi this compared with 1,018 inspections in 2012 leading to 140 enforcements.

When Dr Azzopardi asked about the apparent lack of “serious government action” for such abuse, Dr Falzon said there were procedures to follow, some of which allowed prolongation and delay of enforcement through court action instituted by the perceived guilty parties.

It could also be that the incidence of abuse of public property was lessening.

Dr Azzopardi appealed for the government to appreciate that abuse led to arguments, and victims must be protected. He suggested the reinstitution of a freephone service which in 2012 had attracted more than 1,000 calls.

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