When the government spoke of a review of safety measures at public events after a car ploughed into spectators at a charity show last month, a prophetic message was posted online.

The post on The Salott online public group read: “Following last week’s disaster in Paqpaqli and now the government’s call to review safety at public events, will nightclubs, especially establishments in Paceville, be included under these ‘public events’… overcrowding is the norm every weekend… clubs like [a specific venue is mentioned] take in hundreds of people more than they actually should take… imagine a fire breaks out or a fight that will lead to a stampede… health and safety anyone? It’s a time bomb waiting to happen.”

That was October 12, almost exactly a month before Saturday night’s accident at Plusone where a glass railing shattered leaving two teenagers in critical condition and 74 young revellers injured.

The post on The Salott was not the work of some grumpy, old-fashioned, close-minded parent but the advice – very bold advice, as it now turns out – of a young man in his early 20s.

The Prime Minister and the leader of the Opposition yesterday reacted to what happened and both rightly wondered how was it possible that underage revellers were allowed in. Joseph Muscat even called for legislation governing nightclubs to be reviewed.

The Home Affairs and National Security Minister, under whose wing fall the police and the Health and Safety Monitoring Board that evaluates establishments’ facilities before allowing them to operate, preferred to await the outcome of the magisterial inquiry and the investigations conducted by the police.

It would, of course, be foolish to jump into conclusions, especially in such delicate matters, but some things stare you straight in the eyes like the evident presence of people under the age of 17, the reports of a substance – described as a “gas” – which led to the revellers leaving the place in huge numbers at the same time and the fact that all those inside seemed to be coming out from the same exit.

Politicians worth their salt should be the first to ask questions, demanding answers and, more importantly, insisting on action. It has long been suspected that Paceville is run by establishment owners and that the authorities – be it the government, licence-issuing authorities, health and safety bodies or the police – can, at best, only talk.

The statement made by the Prime Minister yesterday raises hope, provided, of course, he means what he says. Unfortunately, the track record of governments of various shades is not very rosy. Many promises but few, if any, kept.

The Commissioner for Children admitted that her office had for years been highlighting the need for supervision and enforcement at places of entertainment but to no avail. This is the head of an office set up by law expressing frustration in being unable to make any real inroads, just imagine parents!

The situation in Paceville has been deteriorating over the years. It has now practically reached a stage of complete lawlessness: stabbings, fights, shootings, abusive bouncers, overzealous police officers… you name and it is there.

Everybody knows about it, yet, politicians continue with their rhetoric and the police keep lamenting a lack of personnel and overworked officers, which, of course, is the case.

It is now time to draw the line. The Prime Minister acknowledged yesterday that criminality had for years been “the order of the day” in Paceville and that the situation must be reviewed.

No, Mr Prime Minister, the situation must be improved not reviewed.