There were 29 cases of anti-social behaviour by foreign language students in the last three months, according to the police’s PR unit, CMRU.
“The complaints vary in nature from drunkenness, cases of thefts, fights, wilful damage and injuries,” WPC R Grima said in reply to this newspaper’s questions. “The police have made a number of arrests for investigative purposes.”
All complaints received are always addressed immediately keeping within the appropriate boundaries of the law, according to Grima who found it important to stress this point.
Other complaints, which take the form of letters to the newspapers, usually consist of students breaching the peace through noisy behaviour, causing a nuisance to other holidaymakers in several hotels, as well as to Maltese residents of certain localities. CMRU in fact confirmed that the police regularly patrol all areas in Sliema, St Julian’s and particularly Paceville, on the lookout for such misbehaviour.
“Police presence is beefed up considerably during the weekends, especially at night due to the heavy crowds frequenting these areas,” Grima said.
Taking part in these patrols are members from the Special Assignment Group and plain clothes Drug Squad personnel. Administrative Law Enforcement personnel, also in plain clothes, are positioned to carry out inspections in bars situated in areas such as Paceville.
When the need arises, CID and Mobile Squad personnel also assist. Additionally, police presence can also be observed along the beaches of St Julian’s, including St George’s Bay, on round-the-clock duty. These areas are also patrolled by the Dog Section to keep public peace and order.
With the situation becoming more and more unruly year after year, the Malta Tourism Authority was reported to have organised a number of meetings with English Language schools in Malta in the past weeks. A number of proposals were put forward in an attempt to lessen the after effects of students’ rampages and will be put into action before next year’s invasion.
These measures include the stationing of security guards at hotels which host language students along with the more conventional holidaymaker. The language school whose students would be residing in said hotels will foot the bill for the service. Provision of designated student-dining areas and living quarters may also be required of the hotels.
Language schools will be required to employ older group leaders rather than other like-minded teenagers to be responsible for students’ extracurricular activities as part of these proposals.

bcaruana@mediatoday.com.mt