Government 'indifferent' to crime crisis

Shadow Home Affairs Minister Gavin Gulia yesterday accused the government of indifference in the face of ever-increasing crime.

Since 1998 crime in Malta has increased by 25 per cent, Dr Gulia said, adding that offences had increased constantly year after year.

However, he said, even when faced with this "disastrous" situation, Government did not recognise an explosive national problem.

"All this reflects the government's lethargy, as it tries to sweep problems under the carpet instead of fighting them," he said.

Dr Gulia said two hold-ups in 24 hours this week confirmed the ease with which crime took place.

He said the government could not fight crime when half of local police stations were closed for a long period of time during the day and night, or by keeping new police vehicles in a garage and only taking them out on Police Day or for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) next month.