The police will take action against a warden caught smoking inside a Sliema coffee shop. In this photograph, which was sent to Times of Malta by an angry citizen last week, the warden appears to be smoking while seated at a table at a café at The Strand with a woman colleague.

“Action will be taken against the warden for smoking inside an enclosed area and the case will be heard before the local tribunal,” the police media unit said.

Kenneth De Martino, managing director of Guard and Warden Services, said the company would be looking into the matter but pointed out that it was a “police issue” if the “law was broken”.

He said that the warden’s car, left in front of a nearby garage, had been parked with the full permission of the garage owner.

The photo showed the car parked half way out of a yellow box in front of the garage.

Joseph Abela, who lives in the block on top of the garage, said there was a “verbal” agreement giving wardens “full permission” to park when needed.

“If I need to use the garage, then I just call out to them and they move their car. They are giving the community an excellent service and it’s the least I can do,” he said. Mr De Martino said such agreements were not uncommon and pointed out there were many people who appreciated the service offered by the wardens and “actually appreciate their presence”.