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Safety in Malta

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Christine

Hi,

We would like to talk about a sensitive but important topic: do you feel safe in Malta?

How would you define the level of safety in the country?

Can you walk safely during the day and at night without any fear?

Do you think there is a high rate of criminality, social problems or tensions?

Share with us your insight on safety in Malta and in the city you live in.

Thank you in advance,

Christine

robpw2

malta is one of those places that if you use common sense etc you should be pretty safe -however
avoid places like paceville at night-if you do go out drinking dont leave any drinks unattended -becareful if someone offers you a drink etc,

crime rate is reasonably low considering but then dont make it easy for them , dont get expensive devices out in public, leave your handbag unattended etc especially in big tourist areas and keep  an eye out for pickpockets.

in my personal opinion as long as your sensible and look after yourself you should be reasonably safe

tearnet

I would class Malta as very safe provided you take reasonable precautions when in crowds or the City.

We live in Mellieha and have never felt any worries regarding being out at night or property security.


Terry

pmichelazzo

For me, it's a safe place. Just take the regular procedures used in any place.

How I came from a violent country, nothing scare me here ;)

MalteseCross

Last Christmas on 18th December we were on holidays till Jan 8th.
Had arranged to meet Ricky.
On the 20th Dec was in the Scotsman playing pool with some English and Russian guys.
And we were all having laughs and craic.
Left about 1.30 to walk down to Spinola Bay to our flat.
At the LOVE sign heard the two Russians behind me and heard them saying there he is lets get him.
We have two entrances to the flat the sea front or up the hill.
So made dash for it up the hill got to the back gate couldn't open it in time,so climbed the railing.
Got impaled on the spikes with my left foot hanging upside down.
Heard the guys looking for me.
Remained there for 40 minutes.
The had to call my partner for help luckily he heard me and the neighbours.
Called the police and ambulance.
Was taken to hospital had to have skin graft on my left foot as it was torn from toes to the ankle.
Hospital was great food crap.
Got out hospital on Christmas morning.
Was on crutches for the remainder of holiday.
Don't get wheelchair at airport your last on and last off the plane.
My European insurance card paid for the hospital fees.
Today am still recovering from the graft it will take another few months.
But it hasn't put me off Malta as go there four times a year.
With our rental properties.
So would just advise people to be carefully what company you get involved with.
They may seem nice at first.
As for Paceville its a mess don't go there.

scareglow

Generally really safe (if you're white)
Unless you're driving or close to where cars drive (not necessarily a street)
Least safe place in Malta: Paceville (average IQ of the people there: 12)

Cristinadv

I feel safe in Malta regarding the people ,regarding the nature I am not sure that I feel so safe :) !
The level of criminality in my home country is higher than in Malta so I feel safe here and I can walk without fear at any time of the day or night of course during the night being cautious !
Thanks !

Marie Robertson

We go to Malta and feel very safe. We go at least 4months of the year scattered. Just don't get drunk and leave yourself vulnerable.. Same as any place! We live in Scotland .. But Malta is our second home. Comonsence really. It's a beautiful place . so is Edinburgh that's were we are from . just be aware .crime happens everywhere. .  xxxx we wandered about Valletta at 5 am just taking it all in . never felt scared . done the same at San Paul's bay .qawra.and bugibba. But must admit ,Valletta felt the safest . .off to Cospicua next . xx

HiTF5

Malta is literally one of the safest places I have ever know, the people are awesome and you will just be fine.

Unless you are black, look Arab in any way or are homosexual, then this really is the last place you should ever go.

RASTAVIPER

HiTF5 wrote:

Malta is literally one of the safest places I have ever know, the people are awesome and you will just be fine.

Unless you are black, look Arab in any way or are homosexual, then this really is the last place you should ever go.


I miss something probably, because how it's possible that Malta is bad for all these minorities, when it's full of them?

audioclanger

After visiting Malta for 25 years I can honestly say we both feel safe on the island
mind you that's from moving from London England were you need your hand on your wallet
but like many others have said if your sensible in the tourist spots you won't have any issues.

robpw2

HiTF5 wrote:

Malta is literally one of the safest places I have ever know, the people are awesome and you will just be fine.

Unless you are black, look Arab in any way or are homosexual, then this really is the last place you should ever go.


as a homosexual may i just protest your comment
i was on a  bus this weekend and sat next to me were a maltese lad and another lad holding hands and who were quite clearly also  card carrying homosexuals and no-one said a word and they were being anything but discreet (not that i would suggest they should be ) the only person who made an issue of it was me when i text my husband who is also  a homosexual  (just to avoid any doubt ) asking why he never held my hand on the bus ..not that i would want him to in all seriousness - i have come from the uk where any pda by gay people results in violence or abuse.
i have also seen gay people walking down the street in marsaxlokk holding hands ... again the only person who had an issue with it  was my dog and thats because he wanted to say hello ( i have him trained to be nice to good looking men ).

generally people in malta just allow people to be who they want to be and  keep their opinions and feelings to themselves

maltadave1

hitf5,  biggest load of crap ever written on this site, and theres been some,  dave

Toon

maltadave1 wrote:

hitf5,  biggest load of crap ever written on this site, and theres been some,  dave


I wouldnt say it was crap - maybe badly worded - and could have been expressed better.

Malta is not exactly renowned for being 100% open to minorities - ie full and open acceptance - am not saying everyone is the same in terms of attitude or reactions....especially in open displays of those attitudes although after recent events one can say that in groups some can over react... and display their true feelings

As to the thread in my 6 years living in the north of the island Bugibba, St Pauls and Mellieha( over 5yrs of the 6) we never once felt threatened or scared in walking late at night or indeed at any time.  I think its safe to say its regarded as one of the safest places to live....

But just because I felt that way didnt mean I dropped my guard.... stay safe all.

On An Island

maltadave1 wrote:

hitf5,  biggest load of crap ever written on this site, and theres been some,  dave


Really? The Hungarian guy who was arrested recently at Valletta bus station might disagree. It's bad enough that he got arrested, but even worse that the police were being cheered on by the crowd at the time. Racism has been discussed several times before on this board, to say that it doesn't exist is, in your own words, a load of crap.

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/vi … ent.575101

There is a serious problem in Malta with racism and homophobia, not everywhere and not everyone, but it certainly does exist and it's worse than anywhere else I've seen in the world. And it's not just the attitude of the general public which needs to change, it's the police and the judiciary too. Do you think what happened in the two stories below would have happened in any northern European country?

"When the police arrived they went into the boys’ apartment and spoke to them but no arrests were made, Amy’s mother said."

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/vi … nch.403284

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/vi … ree.440361

robpw2

Do you think what happened in the two stories below would have happened in any northern European country?

"When the police arrived they went into the boys’ apartment and spoke to them but no arrests were made, Amy’s mother said."
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/vi … nch.403284

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/vi … ree.440361


yes and  a lot worse besides
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014 … ted-policehttp://www.pinknews.co.uk/2015/02/26/re … ic-attack/http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2015/02/20/me … ay-couple/http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/12/11/ap … ic-attack/http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/12/02/ma … ay-attack/


its worse in places like the uk than it is in malta- so lets not pretend malta is some backward country

On An Island

So if I got into a car in the UK and deliberately ran somebody over (probably considered attempted murder) because they suggested I might be gay, do you think there would be one single judge in the country who would let me off, defend me for my actions, give me a slap on the wrist and let me off?

I don't think so.

robpw2

you would be surprised what people get away with in the English court system

so if you claimed it was an accident and nothing to do with me being gay etc , had a half decent lawyer
we could easily get you off such a charge
thats assuming it was classified as a hate crime in the first place many crimes against gay people are not classified properly by the police .

their are also still a lot of homophobic judges in the UK too


we wont get started on America - lets just say some of the stupidity coming from their courts, judges etc beggar belief....
for example they have ruled in one state they can fly the flags at half mast in mourning of traditional marriage ...  there are still clerks, and judges who are refusing to marry same sex couples etc etc etc

biddy

Reverting to the original question, we feel totally safe in Malta having come from South Africa where you can be killed for your mobile!!! We were never attacked, mugged or had a bag snatched because we were vigilant and never went to dubious places or, latterly, out walking at night. We've been warned about other European cities but,
having been conditioned in SA, we are always aware of where we are and who is around us!! We live in Marsaskala and have had no problems walking around or catching the bus from Valletta at night. For us it's a relief not to have to lock all windows and doors, put on an alarm and jump every time we hear a noise.
Don't let put you off visiting SA, it's a magnificent country - but be vigilant and don't take chances

robpw2

biddy wrote:

Reverting to the original question, we feel totally safe in Malta having come from South Africa where you can be killed for your mobile!!! We were never attacked, mugged or had a bag snatched because we were vigilant and never went to dubious places or, latterly, out walking at night. We've been warned about other European cities but,
having been conditioned in SA, we are always aware of where we are and who is around us!! We live in Marsaskala and have had no problems walking around or catching the bus from Valletta at night. For us it's a relief not to have to lock all windows and doors, put on an alarm and jump every time we hear a noise.


Marsaskala is lovely at night , i took my dog for a walk at 4am this morning and it was delightful  i am glad i moved here :)

NoBorders!

See the link attached for a comparative list of countries regarding crime rate:

nationmaster.com/country-info/stats/Crime/Crime-levels

I'm sure this should put your mind at ease!

goldenbay

Which places are high criminals in Malta? I need safety.

Nange

I agree with Toon. As a woman I feel Malta is very safe. Safer than where I lived in Canada (Vancouver BC).

ricky

Well, a foreign older lady just got mugged and murdered in Gozo so I would not recommend the place.

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/vi … ous.578283

I would try Gzira,Msida, certain parts of Valletta, Paceville, St. Pauls Bay or Hal Far !

How much safety do you want ? A permanent police escort ?  Don't dare take a public bus - your personals will be gone. Even if you stay at home the sock bands from Eastern Europe are always around.

Of course, I'm just joking ! -))) Malta is as safe or unsafe as anywhere else.

Cheers
Ricky

audioclanger

I did read that article
But at no point did they say it was murder
"Although the wounds she suffered could have been due to foul play, they could also be the result of a fall,"

I for one find Malta very safe in relation to London

ricky

You are right but ....

she was found without clothes and her personal belongings ! Very strange but who knows ..... the police still consider it suspicious.

my point was that Malta and Gozo are as safe or unsafe as other places can be.

Ricky

RASTAVIPER

An island will always be more safe then any other place with easy way to leave the country.

robpw2

ricky wrote:

You are right but ....

she was found without clothes and her personal belongings ! Very strange but who knows ..... the police still consider it suspicious.

my point was that Malta and Gozo are as safe or unsafe as other places can be.

Ricky


as yet they have said suspicious circumstances but have also stated the wounds  are just as likely to be from a fall than to be of foul play
so whilst it may be murder it may just be an old woman who wondered off decided to go for a swim and got into difficulty 
but your right  lets wait and see

ricky

Ok ,

lets talk about feeling safe !

I never take my mobile phone , wallet (purse)  and any more money than what I need for a couple of beers to the beach.

I have my keys with me but no tag with an address or so.

So I can feel very safe and go for a swim where and whenever I want. Otherwise I would never leave my personal belongings unwatched here in Malta. It is very sad but probably the same as in any other country.

Forget that Malta is the safe place that it used to be. If you let your guard down you will be standing on the beach with just your swim wear !

I've seen it happen many times !

Cheers
Ricky

goldenbay

Which place is high safety from criminals in Malta   

Do scilicy to Malta it risk too many Mafias;  is it true not safety in Malta

robpw2

goldenbay wrote:

Which place is high safety from criminals in Malta   

Do scilicy to Malta it risk too many Mafias;  is it true not safety in Malta


what  you on about ?

redders_61

robpw2 wrote:
goldenbay wrote:

Which place is high safety from criminals in Malta   

Do scilicy to Malta it risk too many Mafias;  is it true not safety in Malta


what  you on about ?


Now now rob don't mock those who don't have English as a first language lmao

robpw2

redders_61 wrote:
robpw2 wrote:
goldenbay wrote:

Which place is high safety from criminals in Malta   

Do scilicy to Malta it risk too many Mafias;  is it true not safety in Malta


what  you on about ?


Now now rob don't mock those who don't have English as a first language lmao


lol i am sorry i must not be used to the scarbrough accent lol :)

audioclanger

Ok who's been using google translate
:o

robpw2

goldenbay wrote:

Which places are high criminals in Malta? I need safety.


avoid tourist focused areas such as sliema and st julians
there aren't really any high crime areas of malta the majority of the island is pretty safe and community spirit is high
however as has been said previously take due care and don't make yourself an easy target for opportunists and you shouldn't have any problems

as for the mafia , they don't have many links or interest in Malta - apart from allegedly a bookmakers here but even that is now under investigation

Jackiflash

Hi Rob, I read your blogs/replies a lot.
I'll be in Malta from 29th sept till 8th Oct and would like to meet up. I'm hoping to move over within the next 4 years, I'll be staying in melliha again ( my friend has a house there) but I'm using the hotel Solarno, nice pool lol.
If it's an option let me know, I'm aware your husband works shifts but would be nice to meet you both,
Regards Jackie ( Scottish)p.s I'm a dog lover.

robpw2

hey jackie  would love to meet up
send me a pm
if you have any questions too ill be happy to help

rob

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