NApoli – It wasn't just a stroke of luck that unmasked the two thieves who robbed a tourist on Corso Umberto I yesterday afternoon, but the constant work of the State Police Flying Squad.
A 38-year-old Moroccan and a 41-year-old Tunisian, both already known to law enforcement for similar crimes, were stopped after a chase and a fight in the alleys of the historic center.
The dynamics of the theft
The two, with calculated movements, had been following two tourists for a few minutes when, taking advantage of the crowd, the Moroccan man reached into one of them's backpack, stealing a purse while his Tunisian accomplice kept watch.
The Flying Hawks, however, had already noticed them: their suspicious behavior, their wary glances, and their choice to wander around an area with a high tourist flow had aroused the officers' suspicions.
Seeing themselves discovered, the two attempted to flee, disappearing into the alleys of Naples, but the police caught up with them and, after a brief but intense physical confrontation, arrested them. The stolen goods were immediately returned to the shaken but unharmed tourist.
A structural problem in the historic center
Yesterday's incident was not an isolated one. The center of Naples, especially in areas like Corso Umberto I, Piazza Garibaldi and the Spanish Quarters, have long been the scene of thefts against tourists, often committed by foreign citizens with previous convictions for property crimes.
Many of them exploit the crowded streets and the inattention of visitors to act undisturbed, operating in small groups with tried and tested tactics.
Law enforcement, despite intensifying checks, is struggling to contain the phenomenon. The speed with which these thefts are carried out and the ease with which thieves blend into crowds make effective prevention difficult.
What can you do?
Beyond the arrests, which are also frequent, more incisive measures are needed:
Increased plainclothes police presence at strategic locations to catch thieves before they act.
Collaboration with commercial businesses, often involuntary witnesses of these thefts, to create an early warning network.
Information campaigns for tourists, who are often unaware of the risks and carry bags and backpacks unsafely.
Meanwhile, the two arrested yesterday have already been taken to prison awaiting trial. But for every thief apprehended, there's fear that others are poised to take their place. The challenge for Naples is to find a balance between welcoming tourists and security, before the city's reputation suffers further.
It's strange how certain incidents always happen in the same areas. There needs to be more security for tourists visiting Naples. Furthermore, the authorities should do more to prevent these frequent and annoying thefts.