Abstract

The article reconstructs the origins and development of security policies in Italy and emphasises the delays and specific traits which characterise the Italian context. Particular attention is paid to the positioning of security issues within local administrations led by centre-left coalitions. Security and crime prevention programmes implemented in selected Italian cities in recent years are described. The final section of the article analyses the relations among local and central authorities as regards the management of security problems and recent lawmaking attempts in this field.