Italian authorities crack down on overnight beach equipment seizures

Italian authorities and consumer organizations are cracking down on the phenomenon of “furbetti dell’ombrellone,” where beachgoers leave equipment like umbrellas and sun loungers on public shores overnight to reserve prime spots.

In Castiglione della Pescaia, municipal police conducted a raid resulting in the seizure of approximately 120 umbrellas and 60 loungers. Similarly, in Marina di Peschici, authorities removed roughly 180 umbrellas and hundreds of other items. Local officials emphasize that public beaches are collective goods and cannot be treated as private reservations.

The practice has gained international attention, notably from the German tabloid Bild, which highlighted how rising costs at private beach clubs—reaching up to 340 euros per week in areas like Alassio—drive tourists toward free public beaches. To combat this, the consumer group Codacons is calling for stricter local ordinances and increased Coast Guard surveillance to prevent the illegal occupation of the maritime domain.