An Eastern European gang could well possibly be behind the spate of robberies taking place in households in Sliema, St Julian’s and now Bugibba and Qawra, police have said.

Last month, this portal reported that a spike in robberies was reported in the St Julian’s and Sliema areas. It is apparent that this phenomenon has now moved to the St Paul’s Bay area too.

Last week, a residence in Qawra was ransacked in broad daylight while the owners of the residence were out. Owners returned to the house only to find all their belongings thrown all over the place and robbed of an undisclosed amount of cash, and jewellery.

The victims of the robbery told this newsroom that the police who handled their case told them that Eastern Europeans were probably behind the robbery, and were probably the same people who were also involved in other burglaries elsewhere.

On Saturday night a house in Sliema, in Triq il-Palazz Capua, was the target of thieves too.

This portal had also reported that pick-pocketing has become rampant on public buses, particularly the route between Swieqi and Valletta. It is also being suspected that Romanians are behind the rise in pick-pocketing crimes.

Recent statistics show that St Julian’s is the most targeted of towns in Malta when it comes to crimes, while Sliema is in second place. A total of 217 burglaries in Sliema occupied residences were reported while 47 burglaries from vacant properties were also registered.

 

Pick-pocketing on the rise in St Julian's

Spike in robberies in Sliema and St Julian's