Tourism is one of the pillars of Malta's economy. It creates jobs, sustains thousands of businesses and contributes significantly to our country's prosperity. We should continue to invest in this sector and warmly welcome the millions of visitors who choose Malta as their destination.

However, no economic sector can be allowed to come at the expense of residents' fundamental right to live peacefully and safely in their own homes.

Across Swieqi, St Julian's, Sliema and neighbouring localities, an increasing number of residents are telling the same story. Night after night they are being kept awake by shouting, fighting, excessive noise, vandalism and anti-social behaviour. Parents worry about their children's safety. Elderly residents live with growing anxiety. Families who have spent decades building their lives in these communities are now questioning whether they can continue living there.

These are not isolated incidents. They have become a recurring pattern.

Recent events have once again highlighted the seriousness of the problem. We witnessed individuals force their way into a residential apartment block in St Julian's, smash the main entrance, tear handrails from the stairwell to use as weapons, bang violently on apartment doors and threaten residents inside. Families publicly stated that they feared for their lives.

Shortly afterwards, videos emerged from Swieqi showing people shouting from rooftops of short let properties while throwing bottles and other objects into the street below, putting residents and passers-by at risk.

Then, following boat parties in Sliema, intoxicated groups spilled into residential streets, leading to further disorder, fights and repeated Police intervention.

Taken together, these incidents expose a worrying reality. Too many people believe they can engage in this behaviour without facing meaningful consequences.

That is where the real problem lies.

Laws only work when there is a genuine deterrent. If individuals repeatedly disturb entire neighbourhoods, damage property or endanger public safety, yet suffer little more than modest penalties, the message is clear. The risks are low and the consequences are worth taking.

This culture must change. Enforcement must be immediate and consistent.

But enforcement alone is not enough. The penalties must reflect the seriousness of the offence.

Too often, fines are simply too low to deter this behaviour. For someone who has already spent hundreds or even thousands of euros on a holiday, a relatively small fine becomes little more than another holiday expense. It does not discourage misconduct.

If fines are to act as a deterrent, they must be substantial. Anyone who repeatedly creates excessive noise during prohibited hours, vandalises property, intimidates residents, throws objects from balconies or rooftops, or behaves violently in residential areas should face significant financial penalties. Repeat offenders should face progressively harsher sanctions, while serious criminal conduct should continue to be dealt with firmly through the courts.

At the same time, everyone operating within Malta's tourism sector has a responsibility to protect the communities in which they operate. While accommodation providers cannot be held responsible for every action of every guest, they should be expected to cooperate fully with the authorities and take reasonable steps to prevent persistent abuse where it repeatedly occurs.

Protecting residents is not anti-tourism. Quite the opposite.

The overwhelming majority of tourists who visit Malta are respectful. They come to enjoy our history, culture, coastline, cuisine and hospitality. They contribute positively to our economy and are always welcome.

But let us be equally clear about something else.

Those who come to Malta to create chaos, intimidate residents, vandalise property, fight in our streets or treat our communities with contempt are simply not welcome.

Malta's reputation should be built on hospitality, respect and safety, not on permissiveness.

There is another consequence that we too often overlook.

Every fight filmed in our streets, every rooftop party that spirals out of control, every act of vandalism and every scene of public disorder is now uploaded to social media within minutes. These videos spread rapidly across platforms, reaching audiences around the world and shaping perceptions of Malta long before prospective visitors ever arrive.

That is profoundly damaging to our international image.

The Malta we want the world to see is one of rich history, vibrant culture, beautiful coastlines and welcoming communities. Instead, repeated viral footage of drunken violence, vandalism and chaos risks portraying our country as a destination where anti-social behaviour is tolerated and the rule of law is weak.

Ironically, this damages the very tourism industry that some argue they are protecting.

Families looking for a safe Mediterranean holiday, couples seeking a quality destination and higher value visitors who respect our country may simply decide to holiday elsewhere. By failing to deal decisively with the small minority responsible for these incidents, we risk discouraging precisely the type of tourism Malta should be attracting.

Firm enforcement and substantial fines are therefore not anti-tourism measures.

They are pro tourism measures.

They protect residents.

They protect responsible businesses.

They protect Malta's international reputation.

This issue is ultimately about quality of life.

A home should be a place where people feel secure. It should be somewhere families can rest after a day's work, where children can sleep peacefully and where elderly residents can enjoy their retirement without living in constant fear of what the next night may bring.

No one should be expected to accept sleepless nights, intimidation or disorder as the price of living in their own community.

The newly elected Government has both the mandate and the responsibility to restore that balance. It has the legislative powers, the enforcement agencies and the authority to act decisively.

Residents are not asking for the impossible.

They are asking for something every citizen should be able to take for granted.

The right to sleep. The right to safety. The right to peace in their own home.

These rights should never be secondary to those who choose to ignore our laws.

Malta has always been a welcoming country and it should remain one. We should continue to welcome the millions of visitors who come here to appreciate our islands, respect our communities and contribute positively to our economy.

But we must also send an unmistakable message.

If you come to Malta to enjoy everything our country has to offer, you will be welcomed with open arms.

If you come to Malta to create chaos, intimidate residents, damage property or treat our communities with contempt, you are not welcome here.

That message must be backed by swift enforcement, substantial financial penalties and real consequences.

Only then will we truly protect the quality of life of our residents, safeguard Malta's international reputation and continue attracting the quality tourism that our country deserves.

Graham Bencini is the Shadow Minister for Sport