Fear caused by a spate of burglaries in Sliema has driven up the sale of door locks, according to local ironmongers.

In the first six months of the year, theft from occupied houses in Sliema equalled the number of burglaries for the whole of last year, prompting many residents to review their home security.

Paul Schembri, managing director at Alldecor Hardware Supplies, said people of all ages were enquiring about stronger door locks.

“The problem is afflicting everyone and people are driving me mad with requests but I hope they do catch the culprits because people have grown fearful here,” Mr Schembri told Times of Malta yesterday.

Read more on Times of Malta.