Police officers did not threaten to arrest Marsa mayor Frans Debono or other councillors during a cultural activity organised by the local council on New Year's Eve, according to a statement issued by the police yesterday.

The statement replied to several claims made by the Marsa mayor and in a statement issued by the Local Councils Association.

The police statement categorically denied any threats made by police officers to the Marsa mayor and several councillors, and also denied claims made by the Marsa mayor that police officers acted in an arrogant manner with several shop owners.

Furthermore, the police said officers acted in a responsible and professional manner while carrying out their duty.

Even though, according to the Commercial Licences Act, a permit issued by the local council for a public activity held in the streets is sufficient, the council is obliged to pass on a copy of the application to the Police Commissioner not later than two weeks before the event.

However, the event organised in Marsa on New Year’s Eve was not covered by the necessary permit and the police were not informed, the police statement said.

Furthermore, the statement added, no precautions were taken to divert traffic, with the exception of two cones placed at the end of the road.

At the end of the event, the police officers tried to safeguard the public who were still in the middle of the road. Several owners of cars parked irregularly close to establishments were politely asked to move their vehicles to another location, it said.

Furthermore, at no point in time was the name of the mayor mentioned by the police officers on duty, the police said.