On-the-spot fines for non-residents come into force more than a month late
Home Affairs Minister Glenn Bedingfield said he signed the legal notice on Wednesday
Police and LESA officers are now able to issue on-the-spot fines to non-residents, after a legal notice introducing the measure was signed for publication in the Government Gazette, more than a month after the regulation was due to come into force.
On Wednesday, Home Affairs Minister Glenn Bedingfield said in a Facebook post that he had signed the legal notice for the on-the-spot fines.
He said that police and LESA officers will be able to issue fines and request immediate payment for non-residents who break the law.
Justice Minister Clifton Grima said the law closed a loophole that allowed fines to go unpaid, while still safeguarding the right of every person to contest a fine.
We are continuing to build a justice system that is more effective, just and responsible," Grima said.
The ministers' comments come days after Times of Malta reported the regulations were still not published, more than a month after they were due to come into force. At the time, the Home Affairs Ministry said the regulations would be “published shortly”.
The fines were meant to be introduced on June 1 following an announcement in May by then Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri.
But more than a month later, residents told Times of Malta there was still no indication of when the measures would be introduced. One Swieqi resident said the situation was worsening, with more rowdy tourists causing noise and disruption in the streets late at night.
Under the regulations published on Wednesday evening, people fined will still have the right to challenge the alleged contravention to local tribunals.
The regulations also say that payment must be made via electronic means and explicitly prohibit payment by cash.
If a tourist refuses to pay the on-the-spot fines- the police have the power to confiscate their travel documents “for the purpose of ensuring the appearance of such non-habitual resident in proceedings”
Police now also have the power to arrest the tourist who refuses to give up their travel documents. Police have also been handed the power to search the accommodation of the person given the fine for their travel document.
Only police have the power to arrest and confiscate travel documents. Should LESA officials have issues with a non-paying tourist they will have to request assistance from the police.
During the summer months, tourists and nightlife hotspots such as Sliema, Paceville and Swieqi become crowded with visitors, with residents regularly complaining about antisocial behaviour disrupting their daily lives.