'London is worse': Rome's mayor launches furious attack on UK Government after it blacklists city due to risk of pickpocketing
- Mayor Ignazio Marino accused FCO of spreading lies about Rome
- Said Italians were offended by 'superior' tone and London was worse
- British holidaymakers warned about gangs targeting famous tourist sites
- FCO said thieves in the city have even been known to spike visitors' drinks
The mayor of Rome has launched a furious attack on the UK Government after it blacklisted the city because of the risk of pickpocketing and petty crime.
Mayor Ignazio Marino accused the UK’s Foreign Office of spreading lies about Rome, after it advised British holidaymakers to beware of gangs targeting the notorious central station, public transport and famous tourist sites such as the Vatican.
He said that Italians were offended by the ‘superior’ tone of the report and claimed that London was worse.
Advice: British holidaymakers have been warned about gangs targeting tourist sites such as the Vatican
Mr Marino said he agreed with the Italian government’s guidance on London, which he said 'alerts tourists to the dangers of several neighbourhoods in the shadow of Big Ben.'
The advice also warns of the danger in getting caught up in violent riots such as those in 2011.
The UK's Foreign Office advised tourists to take particular care at Rome’s Termini station and on the infamous 64 bus to the Vatican where visitors are often 'hassled and jostled to distract them.'
It said they should beware of gangs often including children, and said that thieves have even been known to spike visitors' drinks so as to rob them.
Offended: Mayor Ignazio Marino accused the UK’s Foreign Office of spreading lies about Rome
Holidaymakers have been warned to watch out for pickpockets who operate in busy tourist areas
But Mr Marino called the report 'misleading and false,' saying: 'There is proven, international data which show that London is much more dangerous than Rome in terms of criminality.'
Romans 'happily welcome all tourists from the UK, but are offended by unjustified warnings with a superior tone', he said.
Dozens of pickpockets, including an increasing number of women and children trained up by Roma gangs, are arrested every weekend at the city's tourist hotspots.
Just last week 32 alleged thieves were arrested at famous sites around Rome including the Spanish steps and Trevi fountain.
Tried and tested technique: Tourists have been told to take particular care at Rome’s Termini station and on the infamous 64 bus to the Vatican where visitors are often 'hassled and jostled to distract them'
Last month, Mr Marino announced plans for barriers on train platforms to prevent growing numbers of thieves from stealing bags from departing trains.
Tour guides in the Sistine Chapel threatened to go on strike last year unless authorities cracked down on professional thieves targeting visitors as they craned their neck to look at the famously frescoed ceiling.
Most watched News videos
- Wild moment would-be mugger gets stabbed by victims
- PM shares behind-the-scenes look at this appearance on Loose Women
- 'Predator' teacher Rebecca Joynes convicted of sex with schoolboys
- Gillian Keegan describes 'evidence' behind new gender education rules
- Chilling moment man follows victim before assaulting her sexually
- Britain's 'kindest' plumber apologises after exploitation allegations
- Man grabs huge stick to try to fend off crooks stealing his car
- Maths teacher given the nickname 'Bunda Becky' arrives at court
- Father and daughter attacked by Palestine supporter at Belgian station
- Suspected shoplifter dragged and kicked in Sainsbury's storeroom
- Rishi Sunak claims he 'can't remember' his own sex education
- Met officer found guilty of assault for manhandling woman on bus