A French police officer will patrol Malta's streets alongside members of the Malta Police Force in July as part of an exchange programme aimed at strengthening cooperation between European law enforcement agencies, the police said in a statement.

The visiting officer will work alongside Maltese police on preventive patrols and public order duties. While wearing their French police uniform, the officer will not carry a firearm and will have no executive policing powers in Malta.

The initiative follows a similar exchange last June, when Maltese police officers travelled to France to assist the French Police during security operations held in connection with a United Nations conference.

The collaboration will continue in August, when Italian police officers are also expected to join patrols with their Maltese counterparts under the same exchange programme.

The Malta Police Force said the exchanges reflect the strong cooperation between European police services and the close working relationship that exists between the respective law enforcement agencies, the statement said.

The programme is intended to promote the sharing of experience and expertise while enhancing collaboration on public safety and policing.