The Italian Prime Minister announced new security measures following riots involving looting and arson in Milan that caused approximately 1 million euros in damages, including deploying more soldiers and holding parents responsible for damages caused by their children.
On 20 Oct 2026 GMT+7, Giorgia Meloni, Italy's Prime Minister, announced a new set of security measures to address riots in Milan, where many offenders were youths who looted shops and set fire to property in the city's central commercial district over the past weekend, causing about 1 million euros in damage.
The measures include sending 500 additional soldiers to Milan until the end of the year, requiring parents to compensate for damages caused by their underage children, and facilitating legal actions against offenders aged 14 and above.
The government also proposed criminalizing participation in violent assemblies, punishable by up to 5 years in prison and fines up to 20,000 euros, with increased penalties if offenders conceal their faces or if injuries occur. It plans to expand juvenile detention facilities and increase the number of judges handling youth cases. These measures must be approved by parliament within 60 days.
Meloni expressed concern over the large number of youths involved, noting that the youngest detained was only 11 years old. She warned against allowing images of looting and property destruction to become examples for others to emulate.
The riots occurred during protests against war and rising living costs, which began peacefully but escalated as masked protesters threw objects at police and set fire to barricades. Police responded with high-pressure water cannons and tear gas to disperse the crowd.