An impression of what the CCTV image looks like at the Valletta (Maori) site.

MTA sets up security CCTV systems at top diving sites

The Malta Tourism Authority has just completed the installation of CCTV systems at Malta’s Top dive sites, namely: Cirkewwa, Valletta (the Maori) and Wied Iz-Zurrieq. The aim of this exercise is to substantially help reduce theft and other similar crimes which, in recent years, have been reported to be on the increase at these popular diving sites.

Various individuals have been targeting divers’ cars and trucks, whilst the owners were submerged, stealing whatever is at hand. Cases have been reported where divers had their hotel keys stolen, with the thieves concerned having also stolen the divers’ belongings from the hotel rooms in question.

The CCTV systems will be operating 24/7, video-recording all that is in view around the clock. The MTA will be involved in running and maintaining the systems until such time that this may be farmed out to third-party security companies. Setting the systems up at these three sites has cost the Tourism Authority some Lm8,000. The MTA has also officially informed the Police authorities and the professional diving schools association regarding the operational set-up and modus operandi of the CCTV systems. The MTA official responsible for running these systems is Mr. George Abdilla