report: Maximiliano Crocamo
Interview: Trieste councilor for safety, Caterina De Gavardo
A new ranking from Il Sole 24 Ore places Trieste 12th in Italy for reported crime, with the city leading the nation in per-capita reports of sexual violence, exploitation tied to prostitution and child pornography, and online fraud. It also ranks near the top for intentional injuries, drug-related crimes, and robberies.
Yet local authorities caution that the figures reflect reporting habits rather than a surge in criminal activity. Police say Trieste has a strong culture of filing complaints, and many residents trust institutions enough to come forward. The city registered 10,440 reports in 2024 — up from about 7,000 in 2021 — equal to 4,578 complaints per 100,000 residents.
The rise in sexual-violence reports, which have nearly doubled since 2019, is viewed by the police chief as a sign of growing awareness and willingness to report assaults, not necessarily an increase in incidents. Still, officials acknowledge concern over predatory crimes, including robberies in public spaces, which have climbed in recent years.
Across Friuli Venezia Giulia, crime trends vary. Udine has seen a steep increase in cases involving minors being reported, while Pordenone remains among the safest provincial areas in Italy despite a regional surge in cyber and financial fraud. Fraud complaints totalled 1,750 in Trieste, nearly 3,000 in Udine, 1,655 in Pordenone, and about 1,000 in Gorizia Province.
With an aging population vulnerable to scams, authorities say prevention campaigns and support for victims are increasingly necessary. For now, officials argue Trieste’s ranking reflects transparency rather than heightened danger — a sign, they say, that residents are more willing than ever to speak up.
