Twelve new vehicles were inaugurated for the Police Force with an investment of almost half a million euros. These 4×4 type vehicles will be used with the existing fleet in the districts and with other fleets of specialized barges. In fact, these vehicles will be reaching remote places where existing cars cannot be reached, particularly in rescue calls.
Part of the financing of four of these vehicles was obtained from European funds, from the Internal Security Fund (Borders and Visa).
For the inauguration of these vehicles, which took place at the Police Headquarters in Ta’ Kandja, the Minister for the Interior, Security, Reforms and Equality Byron Camilleri was present, along with -Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds Chris Bonett and Police Commissioner Angelo Gafa.
Minister Byron Camilleri said that this investment is the first of its kind in the Police Force, as these are specific cars that the Corps has never had before. In fact, they will be added to the fleet, which is constantly changing and strengthening. He reiterated how, “The Government is making an unprecedented investment in the Disciplined Bodies, in particular in the Police Force, this in order to strengthen security in our country and for Maltese and Gozitan citizens.”
Dr Camilleri said that these vehicles are part of this investment that the Police force is making in order to help the officers in the performance of their duties. Apart from that, an investment is also being made in other equipment that is helping the Corps to fight crime. In fact, in the first six months of this year there was a decrease of approximately 4% in the reported cases compared to the same period the previous year.
Parliamentary Secretary Chris Bonett said that, “With an investment of half a million euros, these 4×4 vehicles were bought which, among others, will be used to monitor remote areas during rescue operations, which cannot be reached with normal vehicles. These vehicles will provide additional support to officers working in the Immigration Section.”
Dr Bonett explained that this investment is part of the ‘Malta Police Force’s Specific Actions for Border Surveillance’ project, where the Police Force was given €2,666,666.67 from the Internal Security Fund (Borders and Visa) in order to have more equipment when it comes to border control operations and surveillance measures, this is for our country to continue better addressing the challenge of irregular immigration.
Police Commissioner Angelo Gafa said that this fleet of new vehicles will be assisting both the District Police in their daily work, as well as other sections that do surveillance work around the Maltese coast. He said that, “Through this investment, for the first time the District Police will be equipped with vehicles that facilitate access to places that are not so easy to access, such as rural areas , among others.” He concluded by saying that, just like other vehicles and motorcycles that have been launched recently, the colors of these vehicles are also intended to increase the visibility of the police on the road.
Photos: MHSR
