Call for more troops in Italy

ROME, Sept. 5 (UPI) -- Italian officials are trying to boost the number of soldiers in major cities as part of an ongoing campaign to increase security around the country.

Italian Interior Minister Roberto Maroni announced a plan to request additional patrols by Italian soldiers around the country. The announcement follows a deployment of 2,000 troops on foot patrols in major cities and another 1,000 troops guarding high-profile locations, Adnkronos reported.

Critics argue that Italy already has the largest police force in Europe, according to EU statistics as reported by Adnkronos. Maroni says that the increase in troops is part of an effort to make citizens feel safer.

"Our evaluation of the joint patrols is extremely positive, and the high level of satisfaction shown in public opinion polls indicates that people feel safer," Maroni was quoted as saying in the Rome newspaper Il Messaggero, as reported by Adnkronos.

Officials say the request for additional patrols will be for Rome, Naples, Milan and Turin, among other big cities in the country.