Mellieħa Community Policing Team pilot project launched

The Mellieħa Community Policing Team was launched yesterday by the Malta Police Force as part of the Strategy in the Prevention of Criminality launched by the home affairs ministry last month.

Officials have been present on the site of 30 accidents, patrolled on foot for 124 hours in the last two weeks, and dished out eight tickets and 13 verbal warnings.

Police Commissioner Lawrence Cutajar explained that the project aims to address issues which concern residents, including traffic, illegal parking, loud noise and quarrels between neighbours.

Minister for Home Affairs and National Security Michael Farrugia added that the initiative would be implemented in less tranquil localities following an assessment of results in Mellieħa.

In fact, CEO of the police corps Angela Gafa said that Mellieħa was chosen as a testing ground for this new policing model specifically because of how quiet it is and the diverse nature of the locality.

Farrugia explained that when people get to know the police officers in their neighbourhood, they are more likely to open up to them and pass on information relating to crime.

When the project was first launched, four police officers were posted in Mellieħa with the goal of integrating themselves among the locals to better understand the needs of the community.

Higher visibility and the enhancement of communication among relevant stakeholders and agencies are just some of this initiative’s goals.