A Sliema kiosk, Peppi's, has installed two industrial gas tanks right next to a children's playground, prompting residents to worry about their safety while authorities squabble over their legality.

A Sliema council spokesman said the tanks were hazardous and should be removed but its hands were tied because only the police could take action when the public's safety was in peril.

Following complaints from residents, the council asked the police to take action. But according to the police's media unit, the only complaint they received was about the place being an "eyesore".

The tanks are connected to the shop by a metal pipe painted in yellow, which is exposed on some steps next to the kiosk, raising fears of tampering or damage.

"The police were informed that enforcement officers from the Land Department called on the site and found everything in order," the police told The Times when asked about their investigation.

But the council insisted the reports were about the tanks being hazardous and about the kiosk not having all the necessary permits.

Meanwhile, the department said it was investigating the place after it was brought to its attention and they would be "taking action accordingly".

However, a department spokesman explained their job was not to check whether the gas tanks were hazardous but to confirm whether the kiosk had all the necessary permits. The spokesman said it was the police's job to look after the public's safety.

Owner Silvio Zammit was adamant every precaution had been taken and he had all permits for the tanks.

"This was done for the public's safety. Before I got the permit you have no idea how many things I had to do."

He also said he had a certificate from the Malta Resources Authority but when asked to show it to The Times he asked for a letter to be sent to his lawyer and cited "data protection".

"I bought the tanks for safety reasons, for my customers and for my staff. Before, I had eight cylinders and another 10 stored as back-up, but they were not safe under today's regulations... so I had to buy these," he said adding the tanks were also environmentally-friendly and less wasteful.

He stressed the tanks were properly installed by his engineers and authority experts, after he got permission from the department to put them on public land next to the kiosk.

"I wrote to the Land Department and they gave me a permit and informed the local council I would be able to use the land which is within a metre of my shop," he said.

He doubted whether the complaints sent by residents to the council were genuine and said he had often been victimised simply for his political leanings.

"This is all jealousy. People think because I'm a Nationalist I do what I want, but the truth is people like me are watched even more closely simply because we help a political party.

"I have everything above board. I pay €28,750 a year to the Land Department for my place. No one in Malta does that. We have been here since 1919 selling imqaret but the land has been up for public tender four times. If other people were more capable than me they should have submitted a tender," he concluded.