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Security Overview for Italy
Compared to other Western nations, Italy has a low incidence of crime in general. This is particularly true for violent crime. Petty crime is the exception to this nationwide trend. Petty crime is the most prevalent type of crime in Italy and increases in and around major cities. Incidents of pick-pocketing, purse-snatching, and residential and vehicular burglary represent the majority of crimes committed. Within major cities, the occurrence of these crimes increases in areas frequented by tourist. This is especially true for train stations and on trains and buses, where large crowds make it easier to commit crimes furtively. Regional differences in the overall incidence of crime exist as well. Crime is less prevalent in northern regions than in the more impoverished south. Violent crime is more of a threat in the southern regions, where drug addiction and mob-related corruption are more prevalent, and economic conditions are generally poorer. Organized crime, however, is unlikely to directly affect foreigners.
Criminals typically commit petty crimes in small, coordinated groups. A common tactic for pick-pocket rings is for the group, often comprised of children, to accost tourists in public places. Some distract the victim while others lift wallets or slice open purses. Car break-ins and thefts occur more often at rest stops and service stations along motorways.
Small extremist groups stage occasional bombings, usually directed at government targets. Within the last couple of decades, regional nationalist sentiment has grown in northern Italy. Acts of violence by nationalist groups are highly targeted and typically intended to draw publicity to their separatist causes rather than cause harm or damage to those not associated with the government. The threat of international terrorism is low, although threats against US government facilities, citizens, and interests have prompted increased security throughout Italy on several occasions in the past few years. Islamist extremists have repeatedly threatened Italy with terrorist attacks over Italy's support for the US-led war in Iraq, leading Italian authorities to step up security near public buildings, places of worship, monuments popular with tourists, and at airports, including Rome's Fiumicino (FCO) airport.
Demonstrations and protests are common throughout Italy, and can impact business and transportation. Demonstrations are usually peaceful, but occasionally become violent. Rallies most likely to grow unruly involve anti-globalization and anarchist groups. Avoid all demonstrations as a precaution.
Levels of xenophobia and racism continue to rise in Italy. African and South Asian immigrants are often the focus of this racism. The growing prevalence of these sentiments has been blamed for stoking race riots in southern Italy, where relations between native members of local organized crime outfits and West African immigrants have been particularly tense. However, racism and xenophobia are not localized to the southern regions. In the northern regions these sentiments are finding increasing popularity among far-right nationalist parties that often support separatist agendas.
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