Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1544021
8 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 22 MARCH 2026 NEWS Paceville police squad to be launched in summer, but details still scarce MALTA'S nightlife centre will finally get its own police squad this summer, but details on the new enforcement squad are still hazy months before Paceville's peak season. Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri announced the intro- duction of the Paceville squad during a cabinet meeting fo- cused on security and Malta's disciplinary corps. The unit was among the La- bour Party's promises in the 2022 electoral manifesto. Following the announcement, MaltaToday asked the Home Affairs Ministry for details about how the new squad will operate and how many people will form part of the squad, among other details. A ministry spokesperson said that preparations for the new squad, including staffing ar- rangements, are still underway. The spokesperson explained the squad will utilise the min- istry's 2025 project which saw 40 CCTV cameras installed in Paceville, giving the officers 24-hour monitoring capabilities. "Our aim remains to continue increasing police presence on the streets," the spokesperson said, pointing toward similar efforts such as the Community Police. The ministry added, "on-the- spot fines will further strength- en deterrence, particularly for non-habitual residents who break the law. Legal amend- ments to support this measure are currently being finalised." Regarding the operational as- pect of the squad, the spokes- person explained, "the unit will work in tandem with other units of the Malta Police Force, in- cluding the District, Communi- ty Police, and the Rapid Inter- vention Unit." Hotbed for crime According to the 2025 Annual Crime Review, St Julian's saw the highest number of crimes in Malta last year, as it was the location of 9% of all crimes dur- ing the year with 1,400 reported incidents. Data tabled in parliament gives more details on the illicit activi- ties that occur in Malta's enter- tainment capital. Between January and Septem- ber of last year, 41 people were arrested in St Julian's over the sale of drugs. In 2023, a MaltaToday inves- tigation showed the result of a lack of uniformed police pres- ence in Paceville, as drug dealers were openly approaching party- goers and offering to sell them drugs. With thousands of revellers descending upon St Julian's each summer, the locality is also no stranger to brawls. Videos of Paceville street fights go viral as they usually feature handfuls of young men, bounc- ers, and out-numbered police officers. In 2024 on New Year's Day, a video showing bouncers beating a man prompted discussions on the lawlessness in Paceville, and its effect on many aspects in Malta's entertainment mecca. MATTHEW FARRUGIA mfarrugia@mediatoday.com.mt Malta's entertainment mecca Paceville