The Italian army on Friday began
patrolling Rome's main shopping streets after New Year sales
opened.
The operation is part of a two-year 'Safe Streets' operation
that has seen soldiers back police in Italy's major cities.
Plainclothes police men are also on duty during the sale,
operating with the help of security cameras.
Certain more sensitive areas of the Italian capital will be
subjected to "specially sharp monitoring and surveillance" on
the Epiphany holiday on Saturday when the Befana witch flies in
to reward well-behaved children.
These will include Piazza Navona and the Vatican.
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