St Paul’s Bay Local Council Has Accessed LESA Fund Contrary To Minister’s Claims
St Paul’s Bay did benefit from a €3 million scheme to improve the locality’s security, environment and transport, contrary to Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri’s claims in parliament.
Responding to a parliamentary question by PN MP Ivan Castillo about whether more CCTVs will be installed to curb the area’s vandalism and theft issues, Camilleri simply said that the St Paul’s Bay local council never applied for a fund to help them do so.
Mayor Alfred Grima told Lovin Malta that it was actually one of the first to successfully apply for the fund about 18 months ago, adding that it received €21,600.
He also said that several CCTVs have been installed around the locality for the first time ever under his tenure.
“This investment is leading to helping the police to solve several cases,” he said.
“The bad thing about the council is that we don’t inform the public enough about what we are doing – but that doesn’t mean that nothing is being done.”
Figures show that St Paul’s Bay receives at least one police report of theft and vandalism every single day.
St Paul’s Bay’s population has almost doubled in the space of 10 years, climbing by 95.4% between 2011 and 2021.
It is also facing a major demographic shift with a 471% increase in foreigners.
It has come with its own challenges with serial vandals targeting the streets including members of the local council.
What should be done to improve safety in Malta’s towns?
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