A much-loved Italian city has declared a ‘red zone’ to deal with surging levels of crime.
The Provincial Committee for Public Order and Safety (Cosp) announced there was to be a ‘red zone’ established in Pisa, in an area adjacent to the railway station of the city. Authorities in Pisa specified that the city’s airport “is the second station in Tuscany in terms of number of presences, registering an estimated transit of about 20 million travellers per year, concentrated mainly between the hours of 7 am and 6 pm”.
The ‘red zone’ identifies an urban area at high risk of crime, where, in the presence of aggressive, threatening or harassing behaviour, it will be possible to prohibit parking and order individuals to be removed. The new measure has been introduced to ensure the free use of public spaces is safe within the area, reports ANSA.
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The introduction of the zone follows measures that have already been implemented, including the improvement of lighting and video surveillance. The areas included in the ‘red zone’ are Piazza della Stazione, Via Mascagni, Via Puccini, Viale Bonaini and Viale Gramsci.
Pickpocketing is a common issue in many tourist destinations, including Pisa. Every year millions of visitors travel to attractions in the city including the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Piazza dei Miracoli and other historic landmarks. It is often in these areas that pickpockets target tourists. For example, in the Piazza dei Miracoli — also known as the Square of Miracles — where the Leaning Tower also is, pickpockets are common due to heavy crowds.
In addition, Pisa Centrale and Pisa San Rossore are key locations where thieves often operate, especially when tourists board or disembark trains. Thieves will often distract tourists by asking for directions, purposefully bumping into you or using children to engage with you. In some cases, pickpockets have been known to use small razors to cut open bags or purses.
Fake vendors and street performers are also present in some locations, where they will use the guise of selling goods or performing something, in order to get closer to your belongings.
In 2022, Pisa reported approximately 2,151 thefts per 100,000 inhabitants, ranking it among the top ten provinces in Italy for theft rates. However, this number is likely to be higher as many pickpocket crimes go unreported.
Pisa is renowned for its historical and architectural treasures. Today it is best known for the Leaning Tower of Pisa, part of the UNESCO-listed Piazza dei Miracoli, which also includes the Cathedral, Baptistery, and Camposanto Monumentale. Pisa boasts a rich history dating back to Etruscan and Roman times and is home to prestigious institutions like the University of Pisa.
The city has many charming streets, a vibrant culture, and its proximity to the Ligurian Sea make it a popular holiday destination.
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