Crime in Malta

The largest reported categories in 2025 were theft with 4,428 cases, damage with 2,927, domestic violence with 2,174, fraud with 1,907 and bodily harm with 996. Theft fell by 15% compared with 2024, while reported pickpocketing fell by 39% to 394 cases. Theft from residences totalled 525 cases, including 346 from occupied residences. Malta recorded 21 armed robberies, 328 computer-crime cases, 482 threats or private-violence cases and 196 sexual offences. Homicide is uncommon but has severe consequences: 51 events involving 57 victims were recorded from 2014 to 2023, including two events in 2023. The Malta Police Force, or MPF, provides prevention, protection and investigation services across Malta and Gozo. Its work includes community policing, public awareness, intelligence-led policing and local measures around recurring hotspots. Practical precautions include securing doors and windows, using lighting timers or alarms, keeping valuables out of parked vehicles, choosing well-lit or monitored parking, securing bags in crowded places and leaving valuables at home or in a locker at the beach. Digital precautions include using two-factor authentication, checking account statements, avoiding unsecured public Wi-Fi and independently verifying unexpected requests for money, passwords, bank details or identity documents. Call 112 for an emergency or immediate danger. The number is free, available 24 hours a day from any telephone, including one without a SIM card. People with hearing or speech disabilities can use textphone 79770112. For non-emergency police matters, call 21224001. Any police station can receive a report regardless of where the incident happened. A completed non-emergency incident can also be reported remotely through a video or voice callback using WhatsApp, Google Meet, FaceTime or Teams. The MPF may request an identity card, residence permit or passport and supporting evidence. The report enters the National Police System, and the reporting person receives a police report number and digital copy; the stated service targets are one day for submission and one day for delivery. Fraud and cybercrime reports are forwarded automatically to the relevant specialist unit. The MPF gives the reporting person, victim, witness or other directly involved person access to a report copy according to the procedure. Some information may be redacted, and access can be restricted during a magisterial inquiry or when disclosure could affect an investigation, court proceedings or public security. No fee is listed for the reviewed MPF reporting path. The number 119 can be used to verify suspicious calls claiming to come from the police. The number 80002000 is only an official caller ID and cannot be called for assistance. Victims can contact the Victim Support Agency, or VSA, without waiting for a referral. The VSA is Malta's national, multidisciplinary support service and provides confidential assistance free of charge, including case information, individual needs assessment, emotional or therapeutic support, legal guidance, court accompaniment and information about an offender's release. The national support line 116006 operates daily, including public holidays, from 7:30 to 19:30. VSA centres operate in Valletta, Qawra, Santa Luċija and Xewkija. The Police Support Response Team provides round-the-clock on-site support to families after serious crime. Victims from Malta and other countries have the same access to this support in Malta. Domestic violence has its own police and victim-support pathway. In 2024, service providers recorded 3,798 unique users and 6,768 cases, while the MPF recorded 2,379 reports; these figures measure service use and reports rather than total prevalence. For children under 18 facing abuse, severe neglect or significant harm, Child Protection Services accepts referrals from the public, schools, police, doctors and other professionals. The 179 support line operates 24 hours a day and is free; its online chat operates from 7:30 to 13:00 and from 19:30 to 24:00. Some professionals have mandatory reporting duties when they know of, or strongly suspect, serious harm. Online fraud, phishing, spoofed calls, identity theft, CEO fraud, child sexual exploitation and other digital offences can be reported to a police station or through the remote reporting service. The MPF does not ask for payment, an IBAN, card details, a PIN, a password, a one-time code or remote access to a device. End a suspicious call, provide no information and verify the caller through 119 or a police station. Contact the bank or account provider immediately when money or access credentials may be at risk, then preserve messages, links, receipts, screenshots and account records as evidence. The number 179 and Child Protection Services address child-safety crises, while 116006 provides victim support when immediate police intervention is not required. Lost property, minor damage and noise complaints do not normally require 112 unless someone faces immediate danger.