Catania police conduct weekend crackdown on nightlife venues

Italian police carried out a coordinated inter‑force operation in Catania over the weekend to secure the historic centre and seafront nightlife areas. The effort, organised under the Questore’s ordinance, involved the State Police, Guardia di Finanza, local police, the army and Carabinieri. Officers set up checkpoints in piazzas and streets such as Bellini, Sangiuliano and the waterfront, identifying about 320 individuals – 35 of them with prior criminal records – and inspecting roughly 116 vehicles.

The operation targeted illegal parking, traffic violations and public disorder. Fifty‑one traffic infractions were recorded, including improper parking and lack of helmet use. Eight repeat offenders were sanctioned and had seized proceeds confiscated. Two bars were fined and closed for selling alcohol after 22:00, and two men were caught with small quantities of marijuana and penalised under drug‑possession laws. The police also focused on drug and alcohol abuse among young people, conducting breath‑alcohol and drug‑tests.

Overall, the crackdown aimed to prevent illicit behaviour, improve public safety and maintain order in the city’s busiest evening districts.