The village of Mosta unfortunately cannot boast of its cleanliness. It is not the fault of the local council as scavengers are seen very often doing their job; the scammel does its daily rounds to collect the household rubbish and Wasteserv's Tuesday appointment never fails. However, as in every other town and village in these beloved islands of sunshine and history, we have those few who still persist in throwing away any bits of paper, cigarette butts or empty boxes wherever they feel like. We still find dog owners who take their pets for their morning stroll and do not care to leave the pavement clean.

I have in mind at this particular moment one set of bring-in sites in St Rocco Street. By midday of September 7, eve of the feast of Our Lady of Victories (public holiday), the place was already a mess. I went to deposit some newspapers in the paper bin the following day and noticed a wooden box with meat - pig legs - behind it. On September 9, I phoned the council and the receptionist promised to take care of the matter. The place was cleaned on September 10. One cannot imagine the foul smell and the feast that stray dogs and cats, rats and mice made when scavenging near the bring-in sites.

It is not surprising that residents are furious when they get to know that bring-in sites are going to be placed in the area. It is they who have to suffer the awful scene while the guilty ones just get rid of their unwanted stuff immaterial what, how, where and when.

The irresponsible ones have to be caught and learn it the hard way, but it is not easy unless they are caught red-handed. The only way to have these people brought to book is to have a CCTV installed.

The camera would also catch vans and trucks which stop to deposit unwanted stuff of all sorts outside the bins. Truly, CCTV are expensive and cannot be fitted everywhere, but I feel sure that fines paid by litter louts would pay them back.

The CCTV would also help catch dog owners who let their pets litter on pavements.