Five people arrested after two police officers attacked in Hamrun

Five people were arrested on Saturday after two police officers were attacked in Hamrun, in an incident which was filmed by onlookers and uploaded to social media.The police said that the officers were assaulted after handing out a contravention to a

By: independent.com.mt

Sep 26 2024
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Five people arrested after two

Five people were arrested on Saturday after two police officers were attacked in Hamrun, in an incident which was filmed by onlookers and uploaded to social media.

The police said that the officers were assaulted after handing out a contravention to an illegally parked vehicle while they were on patrol in Triq il-Kbira San Guzepp at around 8:30pm.

Police said that a number of persons emerged from inside an establishment and started arguing with the police, leaving officers constrained to having to use tasers and pepper spray and call for reinforcements.

The situation was controlled when more units arrived at the scene, and three people were arrested, police said. Two more people were arrested from inside their residences after analysis of videos.

Those arrested on site were a 42-year-old woman, a 46-year-old man, and a 44-year-old man, while a 23-year-old man and 33-year-old man were arrested in their residences.

The two police officers were given medical assistance at Mater Dei Hospital and were certified with grievous injuries and light injuries respectively.

Duty magistrate Abigail Critien is leading an inquiry while police investigations are also ongoing.

Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri wrote on social media late on Saturday that he had no words other than to condemn such behaviour. “I appeal for more respect towards our disciplined forces, but also towards each other. This should be reflected in decisions from the courts,” he said.

The Malta Police Union expressed its solidarity to the officers involved and wished them a speedy recovery, and said that it expects “an appropriate punishment” to be imposed by the law courts.”

“The Malta Police Union maintains its fight for stricter sentences against those who assault police officers,” the union said.

The Opposition spokesperson for home affairs Darren Carabott condemned the violence but also condemned the lack of resources and lack of assistance that the police force had to quickly respond to situations like this.

“Today is another dark day for security and order in our country,” he said as he published footage of the fight and offered solidarity to the police officers.

“The PN makes a clear appeal for efforts and investment to be made in resources and in the number of officers in the Police Force. In the last 10 years, unfortunately, the Force has seen the same number of officers serving within it, despite both the population and the types of crimes having developed and grown,” the party said in a statement later.