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POLICE provided 103 escorts for the transportation of fireworks linked to festas in Gozo over 2025 and 2026, with organ- isers paying €3,095 for additional police escorts, according to figures tabled in parliament. Home Affairs Minister Glenn Bedingfield said 59 es- corts were provided in 2025, while another 44 had been p r o - v i d - ed in 2026 at the time of the par- liamentary re- ply. No payment was request- ed for these escorts. Payments are only made when more than one escort is required, Bedingfield said. Between 2025 and 25 Sep- tember 2026, these addition- al police escort payments amounted to €3,095. The figures were provided in response to a parliamenta- ry question by Nationalist MP Frank Anthony Tabone, who also asked how much organ- isers paid for police officers to assist with and supervise the firing of fireworks. Bedingfield said no pay- ments were made during the period for police officers' presence to assist with or supervise the firing of fire- works. SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL FRIDAY 9 OCTOBER 2026 • ISSUE 114 • PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY gozotoday €1.00 Personal Loans NEW BOAT? All loans are subject to normal bank lending criteria and final approval from the Bank. The term of the loan must not go beyond re rement age. Issued by Bank of Valle a p.l.c. 58, Triq San Żakkarija, Il-Belt Valle a VLT 1130. Bank of Valle a p.l.c. is regulated by the MFSA and licensed to carry out the business of banking in terms of the Banking Act (Cap. 371 of the Laws of Malta). Compe ve Interest Rates Qolla l-Bajda Battery in Zebbug fenced off for visitors READ STORY PAGE 4 Police provided 103 escorts for Gozo fireworks transportation Figures tabled in parliament show that transportation of fireworks linked to festas in Gozo over 2025 and 2026 cost €3,095 for additional police escorts CONTINUES PAGE 5 Din l-Art Ħelwa – Għawdex says that the front of the historic Qolla l-Bajda Battery in Żebbuġ, Gozo, has been fenced off after repeated warnings to visitors were ignored LAURA CALLEJA lcalleja@mediatoday.com.mt Home Affairs Minister Glenn Bedingfield (inset) said 59 escorts were provided in 2025, while another 44 had been provided in 2026 at the time of the parliamentary reply. No payment was requested for these escorts