Security

Guaranteeing citizens’ security is the main institutional mission carried out by the Italian Ministry of Interior through prevention and repression activities in a range of fields, including counterterrorism, transport security, fight against drug trafficking and sports event security.

Fight against crime and Mafia-type organisations involves patrol and prevention activities, judicial police investigation, special programmes for both co-operative witnesses management and most wanted fugitives investigations leading to their capture. As far as national internal and external security is concerned, great importance is attached to intelligence activity required for maintaining public order, combating terrorism, fighting against high-tech crime and providing support to intelligence agencies.

Urban security has been recently strengthened by the adoption of special security agreements (‘Patti per la sicurezza’) concluded by State and local authorities. These are solidarity instruments aimed at identifying more appropriate solutions to combat ordinary crime.

Fight against illegal immigration is another significant contribution to citizens’ security. It is carried out through activities involving coordination of border controls and management of aliens residing in the country.

Efforts to fight against the complex international phenomenon of illegal drugs trafficking are put forth thanks to a close coordination and planning of law enforcement activities.

Some special units are engaged in transport and telecommunication sectors: road police, railway police, postal and communications police and special units.

The National Observatory on Sports Events is an ad hoc body established with the aim of preventing and repressing acts of violence taking place during sports events.