Although Sliema residents were seemingly enthusiastic about setting up a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme following a meeting with police about the recent crime spike in the area, the local council has received no requests for assistance in getting the project off the ground.
During the meeting, a question was put forward by a resident about the possibility of setting up a neighbourhood watch.
Speaking to The Malta Independent, Sliema mayor Anthony Chircop said that since the meeting between residents and police: “I have had no real requests for assistance in setting up a neighbourhood watch. There was mention on Facebook about residents trying to organise themselves, however successful neighbourhood watch operations entail commitment, and usually enthusiasm fizzles out.
The recent increase in theft and burglaries in Sliema led to the police organising a residents’ meeting last Monday at the Sliema local council. Since the beginning of the month, there have been thefts in Graham Street, Hughes Hallet Street, Tigné, Tower Road and Cathedral Street.
2014 crime spike
This is not the first time that the idea of a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme has been put forward. After a number of thefts and break-ins last year in the Sliema and St Julian’s areas, mention was made of setting up a neighbourhood watch however this never came to fruition.
Many residents were quoted saying on various news outlets that the idea of a watch appealed to them, however no concrete plan or action was taken.
Attard was also feared to be targeted by thieves around this time last year after markings were found on front doors that resembled markings found on residences in Sliema and St. Julian’s. The markings were thought to be used as a form of communication by criminals, in order to let each other know the security status of the residence they are targeting. As a result of the discovery of these markings a Neighbourhood Watch Programme was implemented by the Attard local council.
No notable increase in crime in Swieqi and St Julian’s
On discussing whether there has also been a rise in thefts in both the Swieqi and St. Julian’s areas, it was found that no notable increases have been reported according to the Mayor of Swieqi, Noel Muscat, and the Mayor of St. Julian’s, Karl Gouder. Mr Muscat and Mr Gouder both stated that crimes are reported to the relevant police stations, so they are not aware of actual numbers of thefts, but that they have not been notified about increases in thefts in their relevant areas.
Mr Muscat commented that elderly residents in his area have voiced their concerns about the rise in thefts in Sliema, due to the fact that the elderly have been known targets for criminals. On the prospect of introducing a neighbourhood watch programme in Swieqi, Mr Muscat said that people have approached him in the past, and consultation took place with police so that they could work together, however this never came to pass due to the high level of commitment required. One of the main reasons given by Mr Muscat as to why enthusiasm dissipates, is that residents are scared to make themselves known as being part of a neighbourhood watch, for fear of being harassed and targeted by criminals in retribution.
Mr Muscat also mentioned that the Madliena Administrative Community were recently discussing the prospect of setting up a neighbourhood watch programme, however he believed that a private company would be hired to patrol the streets, rather than the residents carrying out patrols themselves.
More meetings in the Autumn
Mr Gouder stated that meetings shall be held in the months of October and November, with the purpose of getting residents’ feedback on the setting up of a neighbourhood watch. Mr Gouder stated however that currently the big issue in St. Julian’s is the noise revellers make when leaving Paceville as well as vandalism to cars. He went on to say that the “police perform miracles” and that they are heavily “undermanned”. Mr Gouder added that the police “work very hard but have immense limitations”, and is sure that “if they can be given more resources St. Julian’s would be a safer place”.
In the Sliema residents’ meeting last Monday, Inspector Fabian Fleri outlined that thieves are targeting apartment blocks, in particular ones that are deemed to have low levels of security. He also handed out literature on ways residents can act and react to suspicious activity in a manner that does not leave them exposed. Details regarding preventative advice such as keeping common area doors locked at all times, installing sturdier locks as well as informing family members to keep an eye on a property when travelling abroad was also mentioned. In addition to this, Inspector Fleri also advised people not to make their travel plans public on Facebook or other social media platforms.