The Malta Police Association this morning expressed solidarity with the police officers and victims involved in recent crimes in Paceville and Marsa.

In the first incident, a Libyan man who stabbed six people in Paceville was arrested by ill-equipped district police officers while in the second case, a man drove his car over an officer’s foot while trying to flee.

In a statement it said that these incidents showed the need for further investment in human resources as well as training and equipment for officers to be able to fulfil their duties and protect citizens of goodwill.

The association condemned any form of violence suffered by police officers on duty. It said police officers were workers just like ordinary citizens, who were committed to ensure peace and order 24 hours a day.

The MPA said it welcomed a number of recent court sentences that served as a deterrent against violence on police officers as well as victims of crime. However some sentences did not reflect the seriousness of the crimes committed against police officers.

The association said it will continue urging the members of the judiciary to be rigid in handing down their sentences in such cases.