The news of two more arson attacks have sent shivers down people’s spines. The simple fact that people with a grudge can resort to such cowardly acts is condemnable.

Malta has a history of arson – seemingly being the preferred way for people to take revenge on others without having to go face-to-face.

We do of course have a similar problem with vandal attacks on monuments, again most likely perpetrated by people holding a grudge, but again we see cowardice.

The first arson attack to hit the headlines was the torching of several vehicles belonging to the Jesuit community. But there was a previous incident, which took place sometime in November last year – on a car belonging to one of the Jesuits. It was swiftly extinguished, but again, this incident should have been taken as a warning as it was very clear that the attacks were inspired by anti-Jesuit feelings due to the stance they have taken on irregular immigration.

Then, earlier this month, there were a further two attacks on people’s homes. These two attacks seem unrelated to the previous ones directed at the Jesuit community. However, the most shocking attack was on the home of the Jesuit’s legal counsel some weeks back. This woman’s front door was torched, as was her car. But what is even more scandalous is that this attack took place at night while the family and their two young children were in bed.

If they had not noticed that the fire was creeping into the house and had already started to consume the antiporta – we could be looking at a murder investigation rather than an arson one.

It is very hard to stop these attacks; if people want to commit such heinous crimes, it is very easy since they can simply prepare at their leisure and go commit their cowardly acts late at night.

The only thing that can be done is for people to, first and foremost, be more vigilant. As a society, we do sometimes fall into the “not my business” trap. People should be more wary and keep an eye out for each other, similar to the neighbourhood watch schemes that we see abroad.

This of course, needs to be supplemented by more visible street patrols. We do, of course know of the limited resources that our police have, but something must be done.

It does not seem that these attacks will abate, and we should count ourselves lucky that there have not been any injuries incurred to date. It seems like a case of again leaving things too late. It might be fair to say that no one was anticipating such a spread of these attacks, but again, it is better to be safe than sorry. The Jesuits will not cease to be a target while they carry on with their work with immigrants. One possible solution could be the installation of CCTV cameras in the area next St Aloysius College.

But again, there should also be more effort from the public in keeping a fire extinguisher at home. We should not, however, spread the message that one should keep a fire extinguisher at home to fight arson, but it would still help matters – even from a day-to-day safety aspect.