Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela has met the St Julian’s local council and the National Youth Council as part of the consultation exercise aimed to find better solutions on how Paceville should be managed as an entertainment zone.

The exercise was launched after 74 persons were injured when a glass banister collapsed in a stampede at the Plusone establishment last month.

The Minister explained that the government is committed towards a collective effort that will lead to changes needed in Paceville and its surrounding areas.

He said that the Cabinet will soon discuss proposals to increase the penalties against those caught abusing the law.

The number of police officers has increased and their monitoring of places of entertainment has been widened, he said.

In its proposals, the St Julian’s local council, through mayor Karl Gouder, suggested a permanent police station in Paceville and called for better control of noise levels and an improvement in health and safety issues.

The youth council suggested education campaigns aimed at young people.