In the late 1970s Malta was not the lazy island in the sun it is today. It was mob rule with arrest and detention without warrant, individuals disappearing, leader of the Nationalist opposition's home was ransacked and he and his family were assaulted. The Times of Malta offices were ransacked and printing presses smashed. The Police 'chose' not to intervene.br/br/In the wake of such civil unrest and street violence, tough measures needed to be taken and after police reforms they equipped themselves accordingly.br/br/When the British Army withdrew from Cyprus they bought into Malta considerable numbers of Land-Rovers, Humber Pigs and other assorted vehicles. When the the Army left Malta they left behind and donated a number of vehicles to the Maltese Government, which ended up with the Armed Forces of Malta. Several Humbers were transferred to the Malta Police for riot control, which this vehicle depicts. This is most certainly not one of the original riot vehicles, but one from the Armed Forces which was restored and now kept by the Malta Police Museum. (Peter Skerry)