Damaged stores in Milan: Confimprese says 'cities cannot surrender to violence and decay'

The government is preparing to adopt extraordinary measures to secure cities, particularly Milan, following recent vandalism. Mario Resca, president of Italian retail associatio Confimprese, has commented on the alarming situation and the violent incidents across central Milan, including Piazza Duomo, San Babila and the main shopping streets.

“At Confimprese, we are echoing the alarm raised by our members. Reports from stores describe serious incidents: smashed shop windows, looted premises and employees forced to take shelter inside while violence unfolded outside. These are workers simply doing their jobs who found themselves caught up in a situation they should not have to face. Tolerance towards violence and urban decay cannot become the norm,” Resca observed in a statement.

Economic losses concentrated on weekends, when retail generates up to 50 percent of weekly turnover

“Defending commercial businesses means defending work, employment, urban liveability and the right of citizens to use and enjoy public spaces safely. We are approaching an important political phase for Milan and the country, so politicians should avoid turning security into an electoral battleground. For this exact reason, we are calling for urban security to become a shared priority across all institutions,” Resca explained.

“The current situation requires concrete answers. Confimprese is therefore requesting an urgent meeting with the relevant local and national institutions and public security authorities to define immediate and effective measures. We are calling for preventive security and territorial control: permanent and adequately resourced policing is needed to prevent incidents rather than merely intervening after damage has occurred,” Resca added.

Following yesterday’s summit on October 19 at Palazzo Chigi, the state’s response to the devastation and looting that erupted during recent protests will be “firm”, according to Italy's financial daily Il Sole 24 Ore. The introduction of a new anti-violence decree is also under consideration.