The number of fines issued to Paceville clubs for allowing in underage revellers doubled towards the end of last year, The Sunday Times of Malta has learnt.

Police issued 16 fines to nightclub owners between November and December last year, double the amount issued during the rest of 2015. Assistant Commissioner Martin Sammut said the number of fines was the result of “significant” increase in police inspections in nightclubs in the area following aNovember’s tragic nightclub incident.

“We have made a greater effort. Whether this is enough is subjective,” he said.

The issue of underage youths entering nightclubs was raised after 74 youths, among them 20 underage children, were injured when a Paceville nightclub’s stairwell collapsed during a stampede last year.

Before the incident, the number of fines issued had hit an all-time low with just eight issued in 10 months. Between 20 and 30 fines were issued annually prior to 2013.

Admitting under-17s into nightclubs is illegal, unless special permission is sought from the authorities. The penalty used to be €233 per underage patron discovered on the dancefloor, however, this was increased to €1,250 as part of an enforcement reform.

Mr Sammut said the police presence had been increased and inspections were now being carried out throughout the entire week as opposed to just on weekends.