Isakat

http://www.ilmessaggero.it/ROMA/CRON...e/313844.shtml

ononno

Il Messaggero is a bit stupid in its reporting too. Instead of appealing for action it takes on an offended stance. What planet do they live on?. In the 80s/90s/2000s used to be responsible for large numbers of cruise tourists visiting Rome, at least twice a week during the Spring/autumn months; plus USA 'cultural' tourists. Never a week went by without a passenger being pickpocketed or bag snatched. Often on the Civitravecchia - Roma train. More often around Risorgimento or Termini. Police once accused me of trying it on on behalf of tourists as an insurance scam. All I can say is thank god I'm retired, and good on you 'gov.uk' for the warnings; which of course we gave out as a matter of routine.
Buona domenica,
'o nonno

Isakat

I do not think it is being stupid, for me this is a mentality thing-do not dare to say bad things about our capital city, how dare you, lots of American cities have worst problems than this, bla bla bla.
They just do not get that they need to do something about it instead of moaning at the British Embassy trying to protect its citizens.
I lived in London for many years and was never pickpocketed, however, on my first trip in the metro here a Gipsy girl pulled out my wallet half way out of my closed handbag that was squeezed tight under my armpit.
When I noticed it, she got off the next stop before she had argued with the nice Italian man who warned me about her.
I never ever carry anything in my wallet, all my money and cards are in my trouser pocket under layers of clothing.
The worst thing was when last week the Maresciallo of the Questura of Roma ended up in hospital after she was assaulted by a group of Gipsy girls who also spat on her when she tried to protect passengers on the Metro from being robbed.

Isakat

Ha, ha. The prefetto Pecoraro thinks we are 'pecore' with his remark that the foreigners( read British) are jealous of what cities like Rome, Florence, Venice etc. can offer?!

http://www.ilmessaggero.it/ROMA/CRON...e/314816.shtml

ononno

Quite simply the umpteenth example of the ignorance of many of the people holding high office in this badly educated country.
I could go on but busy just now.
Don't desspair,
' o nonno

Isakat

Well said 'o nonno.

MarkRD

This is sad because it's exactly waht happened to us - me & parents - on visit to Rome in 1991 .. yes, 22 years ago . .and obviously nothing's changed.

Walking away form the Colosseum we were in seconds surrounded by a bunch of gypsies begging for money and in no time they had distracted us while one stole my Dad's wallet. It was awful ..

To the authorities' credit however I have to admit that almost as quickly a car pulled up and plain clothes policeman got out and managed to get my Dad's wallet back from them.

It was all very scarey and my Mum was almost in a state of shock. The police told us to go and report ot the the Carabinieri in Piazza Venezia, which we did but they didn't even write anything down. I got a glimpse of a room full of gypsy urchins . .it was like something from Victorian times.

What a shame that they've never got round to getting rid of this problem.