Pooling is the name of the game for wardens

Contrary to what some people might believe, the number of wardens has not decreased but, on the contrary, stand at the same number as two and half years ago when they started to operate, Kenneth De Martino, Director of the biggest warden company in Malta - Guard and Warden Service House Limited of Msida.

"Obviously the season plays a big part in the issue of wardens. For example in places like St Paul's Bay, Bugibba, Sliema and others the number of wardens decreases because the activity in tourist resort places would be lower in winter than in summer.

"Today it is also not just a matter of certain wardens working for certain localities. There are many localities which are pooling wardens and this deemed to be more viable. This pooling system is working well between many localities," De Martino said.

Regarding wardens, Malta is split in 10 districts -nine in Malta and one in Gozo. The Guard and Warden Company has in it's hands eight of the 10 districts.

Since last November the Local Councils are also demanding wardens for traffic management, while road works and other similar procedures have to be kept under surveillance by wardens or traffic wardens.

However, the Floriana Local Council has not employed wardens as it insists such a move would be detrimental to the residents of the area.