Two enforcement officers employed by the Malta Tourism Authority were assaulted while serving enforcement notices to establishments in Paceville due to irregularities in their business, the tourism watchdog said yesterday.

The incidents took place on July 25.

"These enforcement notices were issued following a number of repeated warnings. A number of operations are trying to bypass the recent amendment which prohibits the sale of alcohol from confectionaries after 9 p.m. by utilising the licence of a bar instead of a confectionery," the MTA said.

It said two particular operators from the same establishment aggrieved and assaulted the enforcement officers - Andrè

Zammit and Jonathan Cuschieri - "who managed to escape without grievous injuries by sheer luck and through the intervention of the police".

Police Superintendent Sharon Tanti is conducting investigations as criminal charges are being pressed against the alleged offenders.

"The offenders in question filed a prohibition order to block the enforcement notice, claiming that the MTA had no right to close their operation down. On August 24, Magistrate Abigail Lofaro turned down the appeal and, in view of this, the shop is now definitely closed. The offenders are also appealing to the MTA board to have the enforcement notice revoked and the said hearing is scheduled for September 4," the MTA said.

MTA chairman Sam Mifsud said: "The MTA has zero tolerance for any such behaviour directed against our enforcement officers. These dedicated people are responsible for curbing abuses, enforcing regulations and ensuring that the quality of our tourism product offer keeps on improving. We will do everything in our power at law to guarantee our officers' safety and prosecute wherever applicable".

The MTA said that such incidents were not a one-off event as they have already happened in the past "and been overlooked by the media and the public".