Italy deploys troops in cities to curb crime

More than a thousand troops fanned out across Italy yesterday to help police fight crime on orders from Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, an unorthodox use of the armed forces dismissed by critics as a publicity stunt.

The deployment, which will soon rise to 3,000 troops, was the most visible initiative so far in a law-and-order campaign by the conservative leader elected in April pledging to make the country safer.

Soldiers were sent to Rome, Milan, Turin and Palermo with orders to patrol streets along with police and help protect "sensitive" sites, ranging from Milan's Duomo cathedral to embassies and consulates.

They will also guard detention centres processing illegal immigrants, blamed by the government for much of Italy's crime.

"I'm happy. I hope this will solve things and eliminate part of the crime," said Rome resident Vittoria Rosati, as troops in camouflage fatigues stood guard at a nearby metro stop.

Visitors to the Eternal City will not see them at iconic monuments such the Colosseum or the Pantheon, after Rome's mayor complained that gun-toting soldiers could scare off tourists.

Some critics said the deployment of a token force of 3,000 troops would do little, if anything, to reduce crime, while others objected to the use of the military for policing at home. Achille Serra, a former Rome prefect with a long background in law enforcement, called the deployment "useless and ineffective". He is now a centre-left opposition senator.

"I'll remind you that we're not in Beirut. And I'm wondering what a soldier will do to address a burglary or mugging," he said in a newspaper interview. Defence Minister Ignazio La Russa said the presence of the armed forces was enough in itself to discourage criminals.