After Milan unrest, Italy is dispatching 500 troops as officials weigh tougher youth-violence measures

Troops planned for Milan

Italy’s government will dispatch 500 army troops to Milan following two days of unrest. Demonstrators clashed with police, looted shops and damaged property. Matteo Salvini, head of the co-ruling League party, announced the deployment on social media, saying troops would be sent to defend the city.

Shops take precautions

On Monday, luxury stores along Milan’s Via Montenapoleone cleared their displays and closed early. Chanel, Tiffany and Dior removed merchandise as police patrolled the street and tourists watched.

Other retailers also protected their premises. Levi’s, Under Armour and Decathlon covered windows with cardboard or wooden panels; television footage showed Decathlon, Arc’teryx and Vodafone among the ransacked businesses.

Government weighs response

Corriere della Sera reported that Meloni was considering longer preventive detention for minors and a crackdown on youth gangs. The newspaper said the plans would bring forward provisions in a security bill under parliamentary review.

Protest escalates into violence

The trouble began on Saturday with a demonstration over poor public services and rising costs. Several hundred hooded protesters, many believed to be minors, later set bins on fire and looted shops in the city centre.

Clashes also took place in Bologna, Brescia, Bergamo and Turin. A police report released Sunday said 28 protesters had been arrested; the unrest was compared with demonstrations over living costs and public services in neighbouring France.