Police Step In Over People Sleeping in Floriana Subway, Minister Glenn Bedingfield Says

Minister for Home Affairs and Security Glenn Bedingfield has sent a clear message about the use of public spaces after police intervened to stop people from sleeping inside the subway beneath St Anne Street in Floriana.

In a Facebook post, Bedingfield confirmed the intervention, stating: “The police intervened at the subway in St Anne Street, Floriana. The subway is not a place for sleeping.”

The statement suggests a firm approach from the Minister towards situations that could affect the condition, accessibility and proper use of public areas.

While scenes of people sleeping in subways and public spaces are fairly common in major European cities, they are typically less visible in Malta, although cases have been documented in several localities.

The intervention also raises wider questions about maintaining Malta's public spaces and preventing them from becoming places where members of the public feel uncomfortable passing through, particularly at night.

However, the issue also highlights the importance of addressing homelessness.

In 2025, Malta's Aġenzija Appoġġ Homeless Service handled 220 cases involving people reported as roofless, demonstrating that sleeping rough is already a reality for some individuals.

Ensuring that public spaces remain safe and accessible must therefore go hand in hand with providing appropriate assistance to vulnerable people who may have nowhere else to sleep.

The Minister has not yet provided further details about the Floriana intervention, including how many people were involved, whether anyone was arrested or whether alternative accommodation or assistance was offered.

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Photo Source: Glenn Bedingfield