Pickpockets, both men and women, are no longer hiding.
Not only do they roam openly, they feel unpunished: they boast about their thefts, ridicule ordinary people, and use the stolen money to go to restaurants, to the gym, and buy designer clothes.
Anyone who tries to film them risks a lot: at best, they'll break your smartphone. Meanwhile, tourists and commuters are robbed every day, and even when the perpetrators are caught, they go unpunished, displaying bravado and self-confidence.
Public transportation is no longer a safe place.
Despite the efforts of law enforcement and honest citizens, it's not enough: we need more awareness, more solidarity, and the willingness to help one another, without fear or hesitation.
According to data from the Ministry of the Interior and the main public transportation companies, over 30,000 reports of pickpocketing are recorded each year in Italy's major cities. In Rome alone, there are an average of 200 thefts per day on the subway, with peaks in the summer months due to the influx of tourists. Milan follows with an average of 90 cases per day. Unfortunately, less than 10% of pickpockets are actually convicted, while in the meantime the earnings for each of them are staggering.
According to the Interior Ministry, in 2023, over 130,000 pickpocketing incidents were recorded in Italy, more than 70% of which occurred on public transport.
In Rome, on the subway alone, there are more than 8,000 thefts per year, with an average of over 20 per day.
Milan follows with similar numbers, particularly on the M1 and M3 lines.
The favorite victims? Tourists and commuters: disoriented, distracted, often unable to react.
The problem is not just illegality, but impunity.
Those who steal know that, even if caught, they'll be out within hours thanks to loopholes, a lack of effective punishment, and the slow pace of justice.
A change of pace is needed: zero tolerance for those who make a living by stealing and terrorizing honest people.
We need a more attentive, supportive citizenry, ready to intervene and report.
Above all, we need a present state that makes the law felt.
Pickpockets, both men and women, are no longer hiding.
Not only do they roam openly, they feel unpunished: they boast about their thefts, ridicule ordinary people, and use the stolen money to go to restaurants, to the gym, and buy designer clothes.
Anyone who tries to film them risks a lot: at best, they'll break your smartphone. Meanwhile, tourists and commuters are robbed every day, and even when the perpetrators are caught, they go unpunished, displaying bravado and self-confidence.
Public transportation is no longer a safe place.
Despite the efforts of law enforcement and honest citizens, it's not enough: we need more awareness, more solidarity, and the willingness to help one another, without fear or hesitation.
According to data from the Ministry of the Interior and the main public transportation companies, over 30,000 reports of pickpocketing are recorded each year in Italy's major cities. In Rome alone, there are an average of 200 thefts per day on the subway, with peaks in the summer months due to the influx of tourists. Milan follows with an average of 90 cases per day. Unfortunately, less than 10% of pickpockets are actually convicted, while in the meantime the earnings for each of them are staggering.
According to the Interior Ministry, in 2023, over 130,000 pickpocketing incidents were recorded in Italy, more than 70% of which occurred on public transport.
In Rome, on the subway alone, there are more than 8,000 thefts per year, with an average of over 20 per day.
Milan follows with similar numbers, particularly on the M1 and M3 lines.
The favorite victims? Tourists and commuters: disoriented, distracted, often unable to react.
The problem is not just illegality, but impunity.
Those who steal know that, even if caught, they'll be out within hours thanks to loopholes, a lack of effective punishment, and the slow pace of justice.
A change of pace is needed: zero tolerance for those who make a living by stealing and terrorizing honest people.
We need a more attentive, supportive citizenry, ready to intervene and report.
Above all, we need a present state that makes the law felt.