The armed robbery which took place at the Balzan branch of HSBC was a reminder that all had to be vigilant to avoid incidents of damage to property and injury to people, said opposition deputy leader Charles Mangion in a statement yesterday.

Dr Mangion said it was fortuitous that in this case no one was injured. He deplored the criminals’ actions, saying that workers were going about their duties at a time when pressure on them was higher due to it being the Christmas season.

Dr Mangion said the public should show solidarity with all the workers concerned. The offer of a reward by the HSBC management was a step in the right direction, but there needed to be an evaluation of the bank’s security systems, so as to ensure better protection for employees.

He also said he expected the unions to do their best to ensure that banks had the best security systems available, and that the police should do their utmost to bring the perpetrators to justice.