Swieqi residents finally have their own police station, which Security Minister Manuel Mallia said would not strain the corps’ resources.

It is housed in the civic centre, which, although inaugurated last year, was only handed over to the local council in February after it was finished.

Dr Mallia said the station was now furnished with the necessary communications equipment.

Together with the introduction of foot patrols two weeks ago and the support of the Rapid Intervention Unit, the stronger police presence is aimed at cutting a crime rate estimated to be double the Maltese average. The burglary rate is five times the national average.

The ministry and the Swieqi local council were also discussing tapping into EU funds to finance the introduction of a centralised CCTV system, Dr Mallia said.

He suggested the rise in crime could be due to an increase in the resident population and the high number of people parking in the locality on the way to nearby entertainment hub Paceville.

Present for the inauguration, Swieqi mayor Noel Muscat said the statistics justified the council’s call for the locality’s own police presence.

“What the statistics don’t tell you is the numbers of disturbances at night by those returning from Paceville,” he told Dr Mallia.

Criminologist Saviour Formosa said Swieqi was affected by crime committed by people who were passing through. Others who parked in Swieqi regularly could observe the residents’ patterns.

Earlier this month the police arrested two men on suspicion of vandalising cars in Swieqi after the tyres of more than 30 vehicles were slashed within one month.

Another police station was yestered opened in Pieta.

Dr Mallia said the stations would not weigh down on the police force as more officers were being recruited.

The Rapid Intervention Unit would also be supporting the Swieqi police station, he added.