“While a distinction should be made between deliberate intimidation and acts of gratuitous vandalism, these must be vigorously suppressed,” Alternattiva Demokratika chairman Harry Vassallo said.

Speaking during a news conference in Swieqi, Dr Vassallo said that “in areas such as Swieqi, where vandalism has been a recurrent reality, targeted remedial action must be taken. Feedback from residents shows that young language students living in the area particularly in the summer months have been caught in the act on a number of occasions. Business operators in this sector cannot expect residents to bear the collateral damage and the nuisance as a matter of course,” Dr Vassallo said.

“If it is shown that such business activities create the need for intensive policing possibly with the use of security cameras, the additional costs should be borne by them. If such methods do not prove effective, the relocation of such businesses may be warranted,” Dr Vassallo said.

Swieqi was developed as a quiet residential area and such zoning created an obligation between the state and residents for the original character of the area to be preserved, Dr Vassallo said. The investment of residents in their homes cannot be lightly disregarded by the state. The development of Paceville as an entertainment area should not be allowed to impact nearby residential areas. In developments such as Pender Place, the Hilton the Crowne Plaza, Manoel Island/Tigne or Smart City in which the government is an interested party, the interests of residents at the planning stage should be safeguarded, Dr Vassallo said.

“Instead we see exactly the opposite: in such cases we have seen planning rules especially the obligations regarding public consultation disregarded or defeated. We have seen the Mepa adopting tunnel vision refusing to acknowledge the effect of single major projects on the surrounding areas and disregarding the recommendations of its own local plans,” Dr Vassallo said.