Italian authorities are tightening security at crowded locations over the Christmas period including those where events and ceremonies are taking place as well as at transport hubs, the interior ministry said on Wednesday.
Security will be stepped up at airports, ports, train stations, along roads and highways and on public transport systems, the ministry said after a meeting in Rome of the National Committee for Public Order and Safety attended by Italy's police, intelligence and army chiefs.
The committee agreed to extend until 31 December Italy's Safe Roads Operation to which 7,500 soldiers have been deployed to guard sensitive sites in Italy, the ministry stated.
"During the meeting, the Committee closely examined the state of security in Italy and agreed on the need to maintain a high level attention and vigilance regarding public order and targets considered to be at highest risk," the statement said.
