Around 340 policemen are benefiting from a revision in their shifts, Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela said today during celebrations  to mark the 202 anniversary of the Police Force.

Speaking at the opening of an exhibition about the police at Parliament, Mr Abela said the tweaking of shifts was the first phase of working hour changes providing for more adequate rest.

The changes follow requests made through police unions.

The majority of shifts have been changed to four days work followed by a day off, instead of five days in and one out. Others were altered from three days in, one out to a day, night, rest, off system. 

During his address Minister Abela spoke about the importance that the police remain close to the community.

He said that following the recruitment of 229 new constables in the last two years, there are now around 1,050 policemen in police stations.