Reports of pickpocketing are drastically down following the arraignment last August of a number of foreigners in court, Home Affairs Minister Emanuel Mallia told Jason Azzopardi (PN) in reply to a parliamentary question yesterday.
Dr Azzopardi had referred to advice from the UK Foreign Office on the high incidence of pickpocketing activities especially on crowded afternoon bus routes between St Julian’s and Paceville.
He had asked if there was a direct link with the numerous transfers which had drastically reduced police presence in stations, including St Julian’s.
Dr Mallia said that, as indicated in the UK Foreign Office’s advice, the police had been actively investigating the reports.
As for police presence in stations, he said that in July 2013 the numbers of police had been the same as in July 2012.