VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Eight Italian police officers have begun assisting Maltese police with patrols in Paceville, Valletta, and other tourist-heavy areas, in a month-long initiative aimed at curbing antisocial behaviour and enhancing public safety. The officers, deployed in two rotations from July 21 to August 17, are uniformed but unarmed, with no executive powers. Their main focus is maintaining public order and supporting Italian nationals in Malta, particularly in nightlife hotspots like St Julian’s.
The initiative, coordinated by Italy’s International Police Cooperation Service and the Italian Embassy, stems from a bilateral agreement signed last December to boost police cooperation and combat transnational crime. Malta’s Home Affairs Ministry stressed the initiative is proactive, not reactive, and supports the Malta Police Force’s broader transformation strategy. The Italian officers, selected for their experience in multicultural environments, will also liaise with consular officials and local institutions. This is the first such joint patrol in Malta, and authorities say it could be repeated in future summer seasons.
– photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
