Adrian Delia says son 'brutally attacked' in Sliema
'No parent should have to worry about their child's safety in public spaces', Nationalist MP says
Opposition MP Adrian Delia has said his son was "brutally assaulted" by a group of teenagers in Sliema last night.
In a Facebook post on Sunday, Delia said he decided to speak up about what happened to his son, not because he is a political representative but because he is a parent.
His post included a photo showing blood stains on the ground.
"No parent should have to worry about their child's safety in public spaces. My son is thankfully recovering, but things could have ended very differently," he said.
The PN politician said his son was assaulted in a "family-friendly area" of Sliema, and said reports of such attacks had increased.
He said such reports pointed to a "growing problem of violence and unruly behaviour that cannot be ignored... This is not about politics; this is about safety."
Delia thanked medical and police personnel for helping his son and respecting the family's privacy.
Last year, the home affairs minister urged collective police and community action in Sliema's Bisazza Street following concerns over late-night disturbances caused by large groups of youths.
The minister said at the time that communication with parents, NGOs and community police was key to addressing the Bisazza Street disturbances.
The issue of disturbances in Sliema's Bisazza Street has been raised by the locality's mayor, John Pillow, and also frustrated residents, who previously described the area as a "mini Paceville".
Residents had told Times of Malta how youths had been spotted drinking alcohol in the streets and causing havoc late at night.