Rome tightens security around the Colosseum amid uptick in tourist crime

Authorities in Rome have declared a security ‘red zone’ around the Colosseum to curb rising petty crime and drug dealing targeting visitors. The area will receive round‑the‑clock police and military presence with expanded arrest powers, extending to nearby sites such as Termini station, St. Peter’s Basilica and Santa Maria Maggiore, through December 24. The move follows a spike in incidents, including a July fireworks attack that injured police, as officials seek to protect residents and tourists alike.