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The Star
3 days ago
- The Star
Venice's growing problem with pickpockets
The warnings are impossible to miss – posted at Santa Lucia train station, St Mark's Square, and every Venetian water bus (vaporetto) stop, spelled out in multiple languages: 'Attenzione borseggiatori'. 'Attention pickpockets'. 'Beware pickpockets'. And of course, 'Achtung Taschendiebe'. Yet, despite the warnings, wallets still disappear from trouser pockets or handbags. This happens to dozens of tourists in Venice, Italy every day. Pickpocketing in Venice, a city with fewer than 50,000 residents, rivals that of major metropolises. Especially in peak tourist season, when up to 150,000 visitors pour in daily, the city becomes a lucrative hunting ground for thieves. In the city's narrow streets, the culprits range from petty pickpockets to organised gangs – men, women and even children – many arriving from outside Venice as day visitors. The issue of stolen wallets is not new in Venice. As early as 1961, the local newspaper Il Gazzettino lamented that there was not a day without thieves. However, with more and more tourists coming to the historic city, the problem has worsened to the point that Mayor Luigi Brugnaro has now issued a plea for help to the national government and parliament in Rome – a step proud Venetians, with their history spanning over 1,500 years – are reluctant to take. A visit to the police station opposite St Mark's Basilica gives an idea of the scale of the problem. There, a room contains 15 black bags filled with handbags and wallets – just the items re- covered over the past six weeks. Typically, thieves discard the stolen items after taking the cash and credit cards. They show little interest in identification documents, which are often found on pavements, in letterboxes, gardens, or even in the canals. Visitors at one of the many narrow passageways in Venice. The baby pickpockets Organised crime is often behind the thefts. Most perpetrators come from the mainland, from cities like Milan, and are brought to Venice for their criminal activities, sometimes in minibuses. Increasingly, children as young as 12 or 13 are being caught – making them just under the age of criminal responsibility, which is 14 in Italy. They are referred to as 'baby borseggiatori' or baby pickpockets. In Italian, the term sounds almost harmless. Most of these children are released from the police station on the same day, often within hours. Particularly dangerous areas include Santa Lucia, where trains from the mainland arrive, the bus station at Piazzale Roma, the gondola and boat docks, and the narrow streets between the Rialto Bridge and St Mark's Square. In these spots, the crowds can be so dense it's hard to move – perfect conditions for pickpockets. Although the city has installed more than 850 surveillance cameras, with footage monitored around the clock from a control room on one of the islands, the police often arrive too late. Adding to the frustration is that even when thieves are caught they face little risk of imprisonment. Police Chief Marco Agostini recently complained in the daily newspaper Corriere Della Sera about a 'large bubble of impunity'. 'Pickpocketing can only be prosecuted if a complaint is filed. And if the victim does not appear in court, the complaint is considered dropped.' Most victims are foreigners, many of whom leave the city the same day. As a result, trials are rare. Currently, only four people are in prison in Venice for pickpocketing. In a nationwide appeal, Brugnaro has called on politicians in Rome to tighten the laws. He wants to reverse a reform passed some time ago, which stipulates that many minor offences are only prosecuted at the request of the victim. So far, however, only minor changes have been made, and nothing has changed regarding pickpocketing. 'We must not get used to such crimes becoming part of everyday life,' the mayor said. – CHRISTOPH SATOR/dpa
Daily Record
19-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Toddler chokes to death on cherry as dad says seven heartbreaking words
Viviana Maria Barel, two, was eating with her two sisters when she choked on a cherry at her family home. A heartbroken father has shared his anguish after his two year old daughter tragically choked on a common piece of fruit. Little Viviana Maria Barel was dining with her siblings at their family home in Revine Lago, northern Italy, when she choked on a cherry. Tragically, despite frantic attempts to save the toddler, Viviana suffocated to death. The heartbreaking incident occurred around 10 pm on the evening of Saturday, June 14. Distraught dad Renato Barel informed local press that a nurse residing in the same apartment block had tried to clear the obstruction using the Heimlich manoeuvre. Emergency services arrived swiftly at the scene after an ambulance was summoned and began preparations to intubate Viviana and transport her into the ambulance, reports the Mirror. However, before they could rush the little girl to the hospital, it became painfully apparent that it was already too late. Vivana had died from oxygen deprivation. Recalling his cherished daughter, dad Renato said: "She was a happy and lively child." Police are reportedly now probing into Viviana's death. The young girl's funeral took place yesterday (June 18) at 3:30 pm, at the church of San Matteo, in Revine. Italian news outlet Il Gazzettino reported that the "entire town paused this afternoon to say goodbye" as Viviana's "small white coffin" was carried into the church, almost exactly one year on from the day of her baptism. As onlookers fought to contain their emotions, a solemn hush fell across Revine Lago; its bars and shops shuttered in observance of the day of mourning ordered by Mayor Massimo Magagnin. Mayor Magagnin articulated: "Our entire community gathers around the family in this moment of immense sadness." Parish priest, Don Angelino Granziera, who led the poignant service, honoured "a little girl who radiated happiness". Speaking to the congregation, including Viviana's immediate family, he proclaimed: "Viviana is now in the safe hands of the Lord, ready to welcome a life to make it flourish in eternity. "Her short earthly journey entrusts us with an important treasure. Her great joy, her ever-ready smiles, the beauty of her face will continue to live". Following the conclusion of the funeral rites, Viviana's casket was carried away for cremation. The touching epitaph inscribed for her said: "You were a gift to all of us. The love you lit in our hearts will never be extinguished." Previously, the same outlet had recounted how Viviana's distraught parents waited until daylight to convey the tragic news to her two young sisters, ages six and nine.
Daily Mirror
19-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
Girl, 2, dies by choking on common fruit as dad issues heartbreaking message
Little Viviana Maria Barel was just two years old when she choked to death on a common piece of fruit in front of her devastated family. Now, a community has rallied around her parents, who remember their little girl as a 'gift' A devastated father has spoken about his heartache after his two-year-old daughter choked on a common piece of fruit. Little Viviana Maria Barel had been eating with her two siblings at their family home in Revine Lago, northern Italy, when she choked on a cherry. Sadly, despite desperate efforts to save the child, Viviana suffocated to death. The tragedy unfolded at approximately 10 pm on the evening of Saturday, June 14. Grief-stricken dad Renato Barel told local media that a nurse living in the same apartment building had attempted to clear the blockage using the Heimlich manoeuvre. Medics arrived quickly at the scene after an ambulance was called and began preparing to intubate Viviana and carry her into the ambulance. Before they could rush the toddler to the hospital, however, it became clear it was already too late. Vivana had died from a lack of oxygen. Remembering his beloved daughter, Dad Renato shared: "She was a happy and lively child." Police are reportedly now investigating Viviana's death. The little girl's funeral was held yesterday (June 18) at 3:30 pm, at the church of San Matteo, in Revine. Italian publication Il Gazzettino reported that the "entire town stopped this afternoon to say goodbye" as Viviana's "small white coffin" was carried into the church, almost exactly one year on from the day of her baptism. Those who watched on struggled to hold back tears, while silence descended over Revine Lago, where bars and shops were closed to the public as part of an official day of mourning declared by Mayor Massimo Magagnin. The mayor stated: "Our entire community gathers around the family in this moment of immense sadness." Parish priest, Don Angelino Granziera, who presided over the service, paid tribute to "a little girl who radiated happiness". Addressing mourners, which included Viviana's parents and siblings, he said: "Viviana is now in the safe hands of the Lord, ready to welcome a life to make it flourish in eternity. "Her short earthly journey entrusts us with an important treasure. Her great joy, her ever-ready smiles, the beauty of her face will continue to live". After the funeral service concluded, Viviana's coffin was taken for cremation. Her moving epigraph read: "You were a gift to all of us. The love you lit in our hearts will never be extinguished." The same publication previously reported how Viviana's heartbroken parents had waited until morning before breaking the terrible news to her two older sisters, aged just six and nine years old.
