It might not really be a surprise, but St Julian’s, which includes Paceville, is the crime capital of Malta, figures show.

The locality over the past five years had the highest number of burglaries from occupied residences, the highest number of armed robberies, the highest number of muggings, the highest number of pick-pocketing cases and the highest number of snatch and grab cases.

Crime figures were tabled by Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia in reply to a parliamentary question.

They show that, since 2009, the highest number of thefts from residences (exterior) was 88 from St Paul’s Bay .

There were 241 burglaries from occupied residences in St Julian's, followed by 217 in Sliema and 216 in St Paul’s Bay. The safest places appeared to be Gharb and Mdina, with one burglary each in five years

With regard to theft from vacant residences, the highest number was 47 in Sliema, followed by 45 in St Paul’s Bay.

Over the five years there were 55 mugging cases in St Julians followed by 13 in St Paul’s Bay (which includes Bugibba) and 10 in Gzira.

St Julian’s saw a staggering 2,404 pick-pocketing cases, followed by 613 in Sliema.

There were also 170 snatch and grab cases in St Julian’s, followed by 61 in Valletta