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Silvio Berlusconi puts troops on Italian city streets

Silvio Berlusconi puts troops on Italian city streets
Gun toting troops took to the streets across Italy to the stunned surprise of tourists as the government began a tough clampdown on street crime and illegal immigration.

By Nick Pisa in Rome
Last Updated: 10:52PM BST 04 Aug 2008

Previous1 of 2 ImagesNext A member of the public walks past Italian military personnel in San Giovanni in Laterano Square, Rome Photo: EPA
Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has ordered the deployment of troops in a clampdown on street crime and illegal immigration Photo: GETTY/AFP
The deployment began with military-style precision at 7am sharp as soldiers took up positions outside key strategic points across the country, including as train stations, cathedrals and monuments.

In total, 3,000 troops from all sections of the armed forces will be on patrol alongside traditional officers as the controversial Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's government gets tough on crime.

However, the sight of troops on streets alarmed many visitors and locals alike - one 70-year-old pensioner from Essex who refused to give her name described her amazement at seeing armed soldiers.

The woman, who was walking through Rome with her husband, said: "I think it's very sad - it reminds me of a time gone by and is very concerning. I really don't see the point of it.

"It makes you think there is some sort of civil war going on - which there isn't. I would have expected to see them in a South American banana republic not in a European capital.

"I think it is a bit repressive and, if anything, will increase the fears of locals and tourists - the majority of them fortunately don't know what it is like to live through a war."

Her husband, who also refused to give his name, took the opposite view, and said: "I am all in favour of it - it makes us tourists feel safer although I must admit it's not a very pleasant sight."

Troops were also positioned outside the residence of the British ambassador at Villa Wolkonsky, close to Piazza San Giovanni Laterano, which was also being patrolled by soldiers.

In total 1,000 troops will be stationed in Rome - the highest number - and these will include around 35 female soldiers and members of Italy's crack paratrooper squad the Folgore.

Rome's mayor Gianni Alemanno appeared to have won a showdown with the government as troops, for the time being, seemed to be away from the centre and major tourist attractions.

Instead, they were positioned at railway stations, metro stops and immigration detention centres. At Anagnina metro they assisted in arresting a bag-snatcher in their first official intervention.

The troops have no power of arrest and can only stop, search and question suspects. If they believe someone may have criminal intentions they must call up proper police officers.

Soldiers were also stationed in other cities, such as Milan, where they patrolled outside the Duomo and also in Palermo, Florence, Naples and Turin.

Interior minister Roberto Maroni and his defence colleague Ignazio La Russo have both insisted the measure will help cut down crime, which has risen sharply in recent months.

They both defended the operation, saying it would free up police for other duties, but police unions said it was an insult to them and threatened strike action.

Much of the increased crime rate has been blamed on illegal immigrants, but many opposition MPs have criticised the deployment, saying it "will make Italy resemble a South American dictatorship."

The troops will initially be on patrol for six months, with a further six months added on and a budget of more than £20 million has been set aside for them.

Centre-Left senator and former Rome prefect Achille Serra, said the deployment was "useless and ineffective" and added: "I'll remind you that we're not in Beirut."

As part of his anti-crime initiative, Mr Berlusconi's government pushed legislation through parliament last month aimed at stemming illegal immigration.

It also declared a state of emergency that gave police and local authorities added powers to tackle immigration-related problems.

But the government's handling of immigration and minority issues - particularly regarding Roma people - has sparked criticism from the Vatican, human rights groups and some European bodies over fears it could stoke xenophobia.

Tour guide Giorgio Sansa, who runs a travel firm in Rome, said: "I really don't see the need for troops on streets, it will have a completely negative effect.

"I have already had people calling me after reading reports of troops on streets in Italy and asking me is there some sort of civil war going on."

The last time Italy put soldiers on the streets was to fight a crime wave in Naples in 1997. They were also deployed in Sicily after a Mafia bomb campaign in 1993-4.

In Rome, troops have not been seen since the "years of lead" in the mid 1970s, when the Red Brigades carried out a series of spectacular kidnappings including the murder of Christian Democrat leader Aldo Moro.