Small idyllic village is crime ridden

Riva San Vitale TI (c) Uwelino

An idyllic village on the shores of Lake Lugano is the most crime ridden place in the country.

Following numbers released by the Ticino cantonal police, there were more crimes committed in Riva San Vitale last year than anywhere else – the rate was a climb of 1,300%. 

The local mayor says he was shocked when he saw his small town of just 1,200 people was top of the criminal list. But Antonio Guidali says his town is not the ‘Bronx of Ticino’. 

While the figures are technically accurate - it’s a mathematical quirk. 

It’s all down to two men running a garage – and an insurance fraud. The men claimed they had replaced hundreds of windscreens that didn’t exist.

Each case has been listed as a separate offence.

The mayor is urging people to visit his peaceful village – and assures everyone you won’t need a bullet proof vest. 

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