Police are stepping up Paceville security soon

Extra police officers will be deployed in Paceville from next week, government sources said yesterday. Although the Government is playing down a recent security warning from the US State Department, the police have been instructed to beef up their presence in the entertainment area, especially at night. “The police are making the necessary arrangements to deploy some 15 to 20 extra officers in the area to make sure that the interests of both residents and the business community are safeguarded,” the sources said. “A plan has already been drawn up by the police and officers have already been identified. Security in the area, especially during the early hours of the morning, will be increased drastically as from the coming week.” Times of Malta last week reported that the US Government advised would-be American visitors to Malta to be wary while in Paceville due to “racially motivated” violence and “poor crowd control”. The warning also reiterated a travel warning issued by the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth office stating pick-pocket thefts have increased on bus routes serving the Sliema and St Julian’s areas since May. The US Embassy has not given any details as to what led the...