Sliema residents have reported more burglaries in the area over the past weeks, although all those spoken to do agree that the situation has calmed down when compared to the sock gang crime spike a few months ago.
During a session of 'Gvern li Jisma' this week, Home Affairs minister Manuel Mallia said that the crimes in the area seemed to have come to a halt. However, it seems residents are saying otherwise; with some saying they've heard of more house breaking just last week. They do agree however, that the situation seems to have calmed down.
Dr Mallia has gone on record more than once in saying that more police officers have been assigned to conduct patrols in the area. However, residents are not in agreement on whether their presence has increased or not. Some said they've witnessed more police doing the rounds, but others have said there's been absolutely no improvement in this regard.
One elderly man explained how a few weeks ago, he met a younger man in the streets who made him believe that he was a good family friend. He then proceeded to ask for €30 for an emergency, and out of good will the elderly man obliged. A few days later, another man experienced the same situation.
Another Sliema resident explained how things in the area have changed. "We no longer sit on our doorstep in the evening. Everyone now opts to stays inside, properly locked up."
Police sources told The Malta Independent that it is suspected that foreigners were behind the spate of burglaries during the summer months. It is thought that they have since now left Malta after taking their pickings. "From time to time, crime gangs travel to different parts of Europe targeting different localities. Although some patterns are established; each case is different. There are still ongoing investigations by the CID, and police patrols have been assigned around the area. High rates of crimes in the Sliema, St Julian's area are common."
Between June and August, a spate of burglars hit Sliema, with over 21 residences being burgled. Residents in one particular street, Amery Street, were particularly targeted. This newspaper reported how the burglars used the victim's socks and wore them as gloves to prevent leaving behind any fingerprints. It was later reported that the culprits were managing to break into houses equipped with so called 'super locks'.
At the end of October, a number of thefts were reported in the Santa Maria Estate in Mellieha. CCTV footage featured one man, sporting a particular tattoo on his arm, breaking and entering into a residence. Shortly after the footage went viral, the culprit, a 40-year-old from Balzan, was charged and sentenced to 12 months prison.