Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri condemned the people who assaulted two police officers in Ħamrun last night and said he hopes the courts take a strong stance.

“I have nothing but words of condemnation for this behaviour,” Camilleri said. “I appeal for a greater sense of respect to our officers and to each other, and this should be reflected in the court’s decisions.”

Shadow Home Affairs Minister Darren Carabott went a step further, condemning not only the violence but also “the lack of resources and assistance in numbers to help the police respond quickly in such situations”.

“This is a dark night for law and order in our country,” he said.

The fight broke out after two police officers issued a fine for a car that had been illegally parked in Ħamrun. A number of people rushed out of an establishment, started arguing with the officers and ignored their orders to maintain public orders. Instead, they attacked the officers and threw them to the ground, forcing the officers to use pepper spray and tasers and call for backup.

Four men and one woman, all Maltese nationals, have been arrested.