The promised mobile police station in Paceville intended to alleviate some of the load from the nearby St Julian’s station is nowhere to be seen, despite repeated pledges to beef up security in the trouble hotspot.

Speaking during the inauguration of a mobile police station in Marsascala, former home affairs minister Manuel Mallia said last October the police would soon have a similar facility in Paceville.

The issue was raised again in Parliament a month later, when Dr Mallia said the police would deploy a suitably equipped van to serve as a mobile police station.

This vehicle, which has only been used on special occasions such as New Year’s Eve, is equipped with a small office and a temporary cell.

Six months down the line none of these measures have been implemented, raising questions whether there had been a change of heart over this plan.

It is common to have security guards at the entrance of gentlemen’s clubs at unusual times of day like 10am when they are supposed to be closed

Questions sent to the Home Affairs Ministry were not replied to by the time of writing.

Police sources told Times of Malta that the original idea was to set up the mobile station at the intersection of Church Street and Wilġa Street. The spot is easy identifiable as a consumer unit intended to supply electricity to the planned temporary structure is still there.

However, the same sources noted that the proposed location was in a rather peripheral part of Paceville, home to the few remaining residents in this entertainment hub. They expressed concern that a mobile police station in this spot would only make the situation worse, as it would contribute to create further late-night disruption to nearby residents. Instead they suggested setting up a mobile station in the vicinity of the bus terminus near St Andrew’s Road, as this would be much more centrally located and close to a landmark spot.

Nevertheless, the same sources pointed out that enforcement in what is considered as the crime capital was not being addressed holistically but sporadically.

“The force needs to look at the wider picture, and not just go after minor offences such as smoking in clubs and littering in public places,” the sources said.

They noted that little attention was being given to other suspicious activity which had been going on for months.

“It is becoming quite common to have security guards at the entrance of gentlemen’s clubs at unusual times of day like 10am when they are supposed to be closed for business,” they noted.

However, the authorities do not appear very keen to look into such issues for the time being.