Venice officials condemn YouTuber vigilante pickpocket hunts

YouTubers are engaging in controversial vigilante activities in Venice, pursuing suspected pickpockets and marking them with water or red paint. The group, led by Mervin Dayagro (known online as Mervin D. Hunter) and accompanied by two British content creators, films these confrontations for social media, where clips have garnered hundreds of thousands of views.

Recent encounters have escalated into physical violence. In one instance, the group used a spray gun, prompting suspects to retaliate with stones and pepper spray. Local police intervened to identify all parties involved. These confrontations often occur in crowded areas, such as alleys and vaporetto stops, involving bystanders and tourists.

Venice Mayor Simone Venturini has strongly condemned the actions, stating they are performed solely to collect social media likes and disrupt public order. He noted that such behavior damages the city's reputation as a tourist destination. In response to security concerns, the city plans to deploy 50 additional police officers by the end of the year.