The Civil Protection Department is to have its responsibilities extended to include safety and security at public events, Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela said this evening.

He made the announcement at a consultation meeting in the series Gvern Li Jisma held at the Auberge de Castille.

Recent major accidents, including that at the Paqpaqli motorshow had shown the need for a single organisation to be in overall charge of public safety.

The minister said the assignment of new responsibilities to the CPD came about following a Cabinet decision for a new organisational structure, and it would be in addition to its current responsibilities.

The new responsibilities will also include fire safety.

The CPD will be granted more people and funding accordingly.

Mr Abela also announced that a call for applications for the post of Police CEO is due to be issued this month. 

The selected person will head the administrative side of the police force.  

He said the CEO would not be able to intervene in police work.

“The Commissioner will remain the head of the police force, but he will now have more time to focus on investigative work”.