Rome tightens protection around Colosseum with new red zone

Rome has declared a security ‘red zone’ around the Colosseum to curb increasing crime against visitors, boosting police and military presence around the clock and extending protection to nearby landmarks like Termini Station, St. Peter’s Basilica, and Santa Maria Maggiore through December 24. Authorities link the uptick in incidents to predatory crime and drug dealing tied to urban decay and say the red zone grants officers broader powers to arrest or expel troublemakers.