Public Affairs scraps street patrols

The Public Affairs party has announced it is scrapping its controversial street patrols initiative, after coming under widespread criticism from rival parties and the media. The vigilante-style uniformed patrols appeared in the streets at the beginning of May, reportedly to help the police maintain law and order as well as helping people who live on the margins of society. The move was widely criticized as a populist gesture ahead of May’s general elections and a poll among the party’s own supporters suggested it should be terminated.