Rome's surge in street violence prompts safety measures for freelancers and arrests after influencer assault

In recent months Rome has seen a sharp rise in street violence and petty crime, prompting concerns for personal safety among residents and visitors. Freelancers, facing threats such as thefts that have even targeted public figures, are increasingly turning to coworking spaces—like Lanificio 159 in Tiburtina and Impact Hub in San Lorenzo—that offer controlled access, surveillance and community support to work securely.

On 27 June, Iranian influencer Ash Kamangar, known online as “Guardian of Rome,” was violently assaulted in Piazza di Trevi while intervening against a tourist‑scam involving the traditional bell‑ringing game. He suffered severe facial injuries, including fractures to his jaw, nasal septum and right eye socket. Video evidence led Rome prosecutors to request pre‑trial detention for two Romanian suspects identified as the attackers. The incident is part of a wider police operation against “maranza” micro‑criminal groups that operate in central districts such as Largo Gaetana Agnesi, near the Colosseum, and around Termini and Trastevere.