A crime wave in the tourist hotspot has prompted calls for a crackdown by police – as well as the appearance of activist groups who follow and film suspected pickpockets.

The self-styled “citizens’ groups” call attention to suspected pickpockets and film their alleged activities to report them to police, though some have also been accused of racial profiling and links to the far-right.

Now, anti-pickpocket activists are increasingly finding themselves in more legal trouble than the pickpockets, Italian newspaper il Giornale reports.

Local police commander Marco Agostini said: “Unfortunately, we can’t do anything [about pickpocketing] because there are no national regulations to stop those who steal or pickpocket.

“I’ve always said that citizens shouldn’t replace law enforcement – and this is the result.”

Monica Poli, a city councillor for the far-right Lega party and an activist known as “Lady Pickpocket”, said it was “pure madness” to go after citizens’ groups.

“We, who report those who steal and have prevented muggings numerous times, become the culprits – it’s paradoxical,” she said.