A British tourist had his €20,000 watch stolen in Florence after two men used pepper spray to distract him and his family before fleeing the scene. CCTV footage of the attack outside a restaurant enabled Italian police to track the suspects, aged 19 and 22, to a nearby B&B, where they were arrested on charges of aggravated robbery. The case highlights the persistent problem of gangs targeting tourists in Florence, a city that welcomes around 10 million visitors a year.

One thief distracted the victim before snatching the watch from his wrist, while an accomplice used pepper spray to cover their escape; the victim fought back by kicking the pair and giving chase. Police recovered the watch, worth £17,000, at the B&B, identifying it by a missing strap section, and also seized the pepper spray can. Two further men, aged 21 and 26, were found at the property and charged with receiving stolen goods, with the older man additionally detained for deportation over his illegal residency status; the article notes similar pickpocketing problems, including gangs grooming children, in nearby Venice.