New fleet of cars for the Rapid Intervention Police and Road Policing Unit
€2 million investment partly covered by EU funds
A fleet of 36 new cars and vans has been acquired by the police, with 30 assigned to its Rapid Intervention Unit and six to the Road Policing Unit.
The Home Affairs Ministry said the €2 million investment meant the number of vehicles for both units had doubled, substantially increasing police capabilities and visibility across the country.
The new vehicles were inaugurated during a ceremony attended by Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri and EU funds minister Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi.
Camilleri said increased police visibility conveyed a message of reassurance to the public and served as a deterrent.
He added, however, that Malta is the safest country in Europe and among the safest in the world, and the crime rate is at a record low.
Zrinzo said 16 of the 30 specialised vehicles for the Rapid Intervention Unit were bought through EU funds.
Police Commissioner Angelo Gafà said that over the past year, RIU officers conducted more than 612,000 kilometres of patrol. More than 3,400 road checks were conducted — a substantial increase compared to previous years.