Each time Police Commissioner John Rizzo invites journalists for a meeting to discuss police work there is always so much to write about, even though Mr Rizzo is understandably cautious as to what he says so as not to reveal unnecessary details, particularly on ongoing investigations.

Perhaps it would be a good idea for such meetings to be held more regularly. While realising that the Police Commissioner is a man with a 24-hour job, seven days a week, and therefore is someone whose duties take up most of his time, such meetings are healthy from whichever way one looks at them – for the media to know more about the work being carried out by the police, and inform the public about it, and for the police to better understand the media’s exigencies.

Last Thursday, Mr Rizzo once again invited journalists over and, as always happens in such meetings, the issues raised were wide-ranging. The main point that emerged from the meeting was however Mr Rizzo’s appeal to all people to help the police in their fight against crime.

Police presence is important, but the police cannot be everywhere at the same time, and therefore Mr Rizzo called upon people to come forward with any information that could help the police not only to solve a crime that may have been committed, but also to help prevent crime that could be in the making.

Mr Rizzo in fact announced that the police have set up a freephone line to allow people to give them intelligence and tip-offs with the aim of preventing crime. People can now call 119, anonymously, to provide the police with information that could enable them to act before the criminals do, or catch them in the act. The 112 line will still be available for people to call in an emergency.

It must be emphasised that, just as no one should abuse the 112 line and send ambulances chasing ghosts, the same applies to the 119 free-phone number. The police already have a lot on their plate and it would be extremely antisocial for anyone to waste their time. Such behaviour is in fact a criminal act in itself, and the police would do well to take such hoaxes seriously and prosecute the perpetrators to act as a deterrent against others.

The police are doing their part in not only solving crimes but educating people in the prevention of them. As such, the police have produced some television information spots in an effort to educate the public on the unwitting danger they put themselves in, such as by carrying bags loosely or parking cars in dark alleys. As an example, Mr Rizzo mentioned that three cars were stolen in the past weeks because their owners left the car key in the ignition while they went to buy something from a shop.

Although things have changed considerably since the post-war era, people still tend to trust too much, and this unfortunately sometimes results in them falling victim to criminals.

In this regard, Mr Rizzo expressed disappointment that neighbourhood watch schemes are “virtually inexistent and those that operate are merely in name only”. He insisted – and he is right – that people should be more vigilant, as their actions could prevent criminal acts such as arson and vandalism, matters which have unfortunately become rather common.

On other matters, Mr Rizzo spoke of the satisfaction of the police that the law has been changed to automatically hold people on remand if they breach bail conditions because, in his words, “there is nothing worse in our job than solving a crime, then watching the accused get bail and go out and immediately commit another offence”.