Italy crime trends show rising drug trafficking and digital fraud

Reports from the Italian judicial and statistical sectors highlight shifting criminal trends across various regions. In Umbria, the General Prosecutor’s Office at the Court of Appeal of Perugia noted a transformation in criminal activity between July 2025 and June 2026. Key developments include the consolidation of structured, hierarchical Albanian criminal groups involved in international drug trafficking, with significant cocaine seizures reported. Additionally, there is a rise in digital fraud and economic crimes, alongside persistent issues regarding gender-based violence.

On a national scale, the 2026 Crime Index by Il Sole 24 Ore, based on 2025 Ministry of Interior data, indicates a slight downward trend in total reported crimes in Italy, falling 1.8% compared to 2024. However, specific provinces face high rates of specialized crime. The Barletta-Andria-Trani (BAT) province ranks 4th nationally for money laundering and 7th for drug-related offenses. Meanwhile, major metropolitan areas like Milan, Florence, and Rome continue to report the highest overall crime densities per 100,000 inhabitants.