Watch: Mellieħa’s Three Police Officers Must Catch A Bus To Travel To Crime Scenes, MP Warns
Mellieħa’s police officers have been left so heavily under-resourced that they no longer even have a police car to travel to crime scenes, PN MP Ivan Castillo has warned.
Castillo said that the northern town’s community police complement has shrunk from five to three officers, which means there are occasions where a single officer is on shift.
He said the police station remains closed and the officers no longer have a police car to get around.
“Imagine a police officer is summoned to Għadira… they must either call someone to give them a lift or catch the bus there. It would be hilarious if it wasn’t so sad.”
Castillo told Lovin Malta that the three officers also make use of an electric bike, but this is the property of the local council, which allows the police officers to use it.
“Last year, there were 176 cases of damages, 130 cases of theft and 55 cases of domestic violence in Mellieħa, but station’s doors remained closed. Mellieħa’s population has tripled in recent years but it must now function with three police officers who don’t have a car.”
READ NEXT: Government Considering Terminating Paola Health Centre Contract After Series of Delays
