Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1543144
3 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 8 FEBRUARY 2026 NEWS businesses want end to teens' unruly behaviour to be called in to bring order to on the street. A worker at a nearby restau- rant said on one occasion the same group were seen target- ing food delivery couriers by attempting to snatch orders or harass drivers. Outlets bolster security With the situation continu- ing to worsen, shops in the area have had to employ security of- ficers to prevent the behaviour spilling into their outlets. A su- permarket in the area has a se- curity officer present at all times during the weekends. At the nearby Plaza Shopping centre, management have had to employ extra security and install paid toilet access, after teenagers were on multiple oc- casions caught stealing toilet seats and brushes, vandalising facilities and even smearing hu- man faeces on bathroom walls. Despite the challenges, an in- creased police presence in re- cent days has been welcomed by residents and businesses alike, even if it has only provided tem- porary relief. But others have questioned how it took the son of a politi- cian for the situation to change. "These problems have been happening for two years. Why did it need the son of a politi- cian to be injured for the issues to be addressed?" they said. Speaking to MaltaToday, Sliema Mayor John Pillow said he has been following the situa- tion for years, and has also been in recent contact with authori- ties for increased police pres- ence in the area. He confirmed residents' com- plaints, saying he is at the re- ceiving end of a number of phone calls over the issue. Pillow is also pushing for po- lice officers doing late night pa- trols to be from the area. "The officers which patrol the area, I am told, are on overtime from other localities. While they do a good job, the do not know the intricacies and nuisances of the area like the ones who work here day in day out. If they are, I think it would better help our situation," he said. The mayor said after the prob- lem was raised to the national agenda, youths are now moving to other areas such as Robert Arrigo Street, formerly Tigné Street; the Tigné Point pjazza, and the new square at the back of the new Fortina glass-clad building, which youths refer to as "the mirrors". As the Sliema community con- tinues to grapple with the issue, the labels of gangs and organ- ised crime appear stretched and untrue. Nonetheless, the community is still looking to the authori- ties for a solution to the weekly problems of anti-social behav- iour they encounter. Teens stand at the entrance of an apartment block making excessive noise during late hours Youths stop cars driving through an adjacent street to Bisazza A worker at a nearby restaurant said on one occasion the same group were seen targeting food delivery couriers by attempting to snatch orders or harass drivers