Multiple police raids took place this afternoon in the area surrounding the Marsa church as well as the now infamous Tiger Bar.

Eyewitness reports confirmed with this newspaper that at least three police vans were making the rounds close to the Marsa Church and Triq is-Sajjieda. One man was seen being taken away by the police in handcuffs.

Unconfirmed reports from the same eyewitnesses say that police have been carrying out many raids over the past few weeks in order to ensure that any migrants there are working lawfully and have all permits in order.

Tiger Bar was raided today due to the many “activities” taking place, allegedly conducted by people without work permits or the appropriate licence, sources told this newsroom.

Near Tiger Bar, which was in the news a few weeks ago following a similar raid, a group of migrants looked on as police dealt with a middle-aged African migrant dressed sharply in a shirt and suit trousers.

Roughly ten members of the Rapid Intervention Unit carried out the raid at the bar, which seemed overall like a peaceful exercise without much resistance.

Photos Baskal Mallia

One RIU officer exited the police van wearing rubber gloves and holding a plastic bag, which could indicate that a search on a migrant's person took place, and that some items were lifted.

A van parked close to the bar, selling knick-knacks and other tourist items was told to vacate the area. The ten-strong RIU officers then approached Tavern Take-Out, an establishment close to Tiger Bar, which was raided for similar reasons as Tiger Bar. Officers told those running the Tavern bar, who appeared to be of African origin, to clear the tables and chairs that were encroaching on the pavement outside. This seemed ironic to a nearby eye-witness, who is a migrant, for the high number of encroachment abuses that many business owners around the island are guilty of.

Police also broke up a large group of migrants who were loitering on a street corner.