In a statement issued today, the Nationalist Party called on the current administration to take immediate and long-term action to address a spike in crime that is being felt today.
The PN said that it has taken note of what is being reported by other sections of the media regarding comments made by Minister Carmelo Abela, where discussions took place about the current spike in crime in Paceville.
They continued by saying that after a quiet summer, Minister Carmelo Abela has finally woken up and noticed that the increase in criminal activity in Paceville and other localities is alarming to say the least.
The PN also pointed out that the media, various police unions and committees, as well as the Nationalist party themselves have been discussing for weeks the issue of increased criminal activity in various localities and the desperate need to address the issue.
They Nationalist Party insisted that Minister Carmelo Abela ensures an increase of police stationed at the St Julian’s police station, ensures an increase of police patrols on a daily basis in Paceville, in particular on weekends, and also ensures that the Swieqi police station is open at all hours, and that a number of police are stationed there.
They also insisted that the minister ensures that a section of the Rapid Intervention Unit is exclusively dedicated to Paceville, especially on weekends, that the police both in stations as well as on patrol undertake continuous training and have all the necessary equipment made available to them so that they can carry out their work properly, and lastly commits himself to setting up a police station in Paceville, that is fully functional and equipped.
The PN said that the police deserve the best equipment, training and protection so that they can carry out their work as efficiently as possible.
They concluded by stating that the Maltese population, especially young persons and their parents, should have peace of mind through the knowledge that criminals are not being allowed to roam free in areas of entertainment such as Paceville.