(CNN) - The ancient Colosseum in the Italian capital, Rome, was never synonymous with safety and security. In the past, gladiators used to fight wild animals amid the cheering of the crowds. Today, the risk factors take on a different, modern character. In July, a group of about 50 young men injured policemen during an attack that used fireworks.
The authorities report that this incident falls within a growing pattern of crimes around this historic site.
In an effort to control the security situation at the Colosseum, Rome officials declared the area surrounding the site a "red zone."
This means deploying security reinforcements with broader powers to protect residents and tourists alike, while the recent unrest is attributed to “exploitative crimes and drug trafficking” linked to urban decline, according to officials.
The measure was imposed in late August and will remain in place until December 24.
Security measures have also been strengthened near the city's main Termini train station, St. Peter's Basilica, and the Cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore, which has witnessed an increase in visitor numbers since Pope Francis' body was placed in a special burial ground inside it in April 2025.
The new "Red Zone" will see a greater presence of local police around the clock, in addition to the presence of military forces.
The Italian army is already protecting popular tourist attractions through barriers and random checkpoints.
However, it seems that the presence of clearly visible armed elements, along with military vehicles, did not constitute a sufficient deterrent for those involved in petty theft crimes.
Speaking to CNN on Tuesday afternoon, Janelle Tritton, an American tourist from Philadelphia visiting the Colosseum site, said: “Security is tight here, and yet I just saw a woman being pickpocketed.”
She added that the thief had fled by the time the matter was reported to law enforcement authorities, continuing: “The hotel advised us not to visit this place at night, so we avoided the area.”
The decline in security in one of Rome's most famous landmarks comes despite spending millions of dollars on improving infrastructure in recent years, investments that officials acknowledge may actually be a reason for increasing the level of crime.
"public emergency"
Rome's security official Lamberto Giannini says the new Colosseum metro station, which was part of an $8.3 billion project to develop the city's subway network, is one of the factors behind the increase in security incidents.
The station, which opened in December 2025, includes a multi-layered underground museum displaying artifacts found during the years of construction of a new metro line.
But Giannini points out that the station has also become a corridor for marginalized youth heading to the historic center of Rome, where they lurk among visitors and residents who visit the area after the tourists leave.
Giannini's "Red Zone" decision states that existing security measures have proven ineffective in dealing with a "serious public emergency" that could lead to "serious damage" in sensitive areas.
The decision gives security personnel broader powers to arrest suspected troublemakers or issue orders for them to leave the area.
A spokesperson for the governor told CNN that he is limited to commenting on this issue, but a report is expected in September detailing the impact of the "red zone" on crime rates.
