‘Not the image Malta should portray’: MHRA President objects to soldiers patrolling Swieqi

Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA) President Tony Zahra has spoken out against the deployment of Armed Forces of Malta personnel in Swieqi, arguing that policing antisocial behaviour should remain the responsibility of the police.

Members of the AFM were deployed in Swieqi overnight, joining police officers on patrol following mounting concerns over antisocial behaviour in the residential locality over the past weeks.

The deployment comes after sustained calls from the Swieqi Local Council and residents for a stronger security presence, particularly amid incidents involving tourists staying in the area.

Speaking to BusinessNow.mt, Mr Zahra says he does not agree with soldiers being deployed on Malta's streets and questioned what powers AFM personnel have when dealing with contraventions.

“It is not their job and I wonder what powers they have in cases where a contravention is taking place,” he says. “Furthermore, this is not their job and it is not the image I would like Malta to be portraying.”

“The police are there to do this job and these can be assisted by community police. No, I am not in agreement at all with soldiers on our streets.”

He added that the focus should instead be on how the situation in areas such as Swieqi was allowed to deteriorate and what measures are needed to bring it under control.

“I think the debate should be as to why we have left the situation to get so out of hand, and what are we going to do to rein it back,” Mr Zahra says.

He describes the deployment of AFM personnel as an “extreme measure”, arguing that such measures should be reserved for civil emergencies.

The deployment was announced on Wednesday (today) by Swieqi Deputy Mayor Jordan Galea Pace, who describes the presence of soldiers alongside police officers as an additional deterrent and a significant step forward following pressure from the council and residents.

Mr Galea Pace also called for a similar approach to be considered in neighbouring localities, arguing that antisocial behaviour is not confined to Swieqi.

The locality has faced a number of incidents involving visitors in recent weeks. In July, tourists were fined after being seen throwing bottles and shouting from balconies, while last week a woman was fined within minutes after being caught disposing of rubbish improperly.