REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsROME, Nov 16 (Reuters) - Italy's rightist government on Thursday backed a raft of measures to improve public security including potentially tougher penalties for women offenders who are pregnant or have very young children, in a move aimed at pickpockets.
The coalition League party had long called for the scrapping of a rule that prevents such women from being immediately detained, as part of its campaign against foreign pickpockets on public transport.
"This is aimed at avoiding the use of the maternity status as an exemption when committing a crime," the minister said.
In a statement, the Green-Left Alliance (AVS) called it an "abuse against pregnant women and their children ... who are blameless".
The measure has been included in a government bill subject to approval by both houses of parliament before becoming law.
Persons:
Guglielmo Mangiapane, Matteo Piantedosi, Angelo Amante, William Maclean, Mark Potter
Organizations:
REUTERS, Rights, League, - Left, Thomson
Locations:
Rome, Italy