Italy’s latest crime index reveals that major tourist destinations like Milan, Rome, and Florence continue to top the list of crime-prone areas in 2024. The index, published annually, draws a correlation between high tourist traffic and increased criminal activity, serving as a warning to visitors.
Most dangerous places in Italy
According to the economic newspaper “Il Sole 24 Ore,” which compiles the annual crime index based on police reports, the major tourist metropolises remain at the top of the list for 2024. Milan leads the negative top 10 with 7,093 reports per 100,000 inhabitants in 2023. It is followed by Rome (6,071/100,000) and Florence in Tuscany (6,054/100,000). The subsequent positions are occupied by Rimini, Turin, Bologna, Prato, Imperia, Venice, and Livorno.
Milan, which has topped the crime ranking for five years, experienced an increase in reports of almost five percent compared to pre-pandemic levels, with negative records in thefts and robberies, reports the economic newspaper. The city ranks third in sexual violence and fifth in drug-related crimes.
The Italian news agency Ansa concludes, “The phenomenon seems to be linked to tourist flows: in large cities visited by millions of people each year, the number of robberies and violent crimes is increasing.” In total, 30 percent of all crimes reported in 2023 occurred in the country’s 14 major cities. For comparison, Milan welcomed about 8.5 million tourists in 2023, while Rome received 35 million.
Safest places in Italy
There is also good news. Naples, known as a stronghold of crime, has fallen out of the negative top 10 and now ranks twelfth. At the very bottom of the list, which covers over a hundred cities and provinces, are the safest areas in Italy. The city of Oristano on Sardinia, with 30,000 inhabitants, is considered the safest place at rank 106. Potenza (in Basilicata) and Treviso (Veneto) can also boast of having little crime.
The crime index serves as a valuable tool for both tourists and local authorities, highlighting areas that require increased vigilance and security measures. While popular tourist destinations offer rich cultural experiences, visitors are advised to remain cautious and aware of their surroundings, especially in crowded areas known for higher crime rates.
