A wave of violent thefts has been committed in the wake of the theft from HSBC Bank in Balzan, the MLP’s spokesman for the interior, Gavin Gulia, said.

He saw it as evident that the security forces were finding it a problem to keep up with the service’s needs because the government was putting policemen who were due for a day off according to their roster on guard at HSBC branches. This measure showed clearly that the police force did not have enough human resources to keep up with the country’s security needs, Dr Gulia said.

“It is symptomatic that during the last few years a record number of experienced police officers have been leaving the force because they are feeling demoralised. These are being substituted by new members who naturally still lack the necessary practical experience,” he said.