A mobile police station in Paceville and the introduction of tourism police remain in limbo. The Home Affairs Ministry would neither confirm nor deny whether these are still in the pipeline.

While reiterating that police presence in Paceville was increased in the wake of last month’s rampage by a knife-wielding man, a ministry spokeswoman said talks between all stakeholders were still ongoing.

She added that certain areas known for crime, like Sliema, St Julian’s and Paceville, would be given particular attention in the new strategy that was still being drafted.  

Former home affairs minister Manuel Mallia announced last year that a mobile police station in Paceville would be opened in a few weeks’ time to ease the workload at St Julian’s station. Dr Mallia also unveiled plans for setting up a specialised unit within the police force, of about 25 officers. Their remit would be to focus exclusively on certain kind of crimes and offences in tourist areas.

Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis went a step further and told Parliament that operational details were being worked out, with the aim of having the tourism police on the beat by 2015.

However the plans seem to have been put on hold as no further mention of them was Dr Mallia's successor, Carmelo Abela. 

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