Concern about security, petty crime, and urban decay is also growing among Sardinian businesses . The alarm was raised by Confcommercio Sud Sardegna, which cited and commented on data from Confcommercio's national survey on illegal activities, presented as part of the "Legality, we like" event.
According to the study, 28.2% of businesses in the South and the Islands report a worsening of security levels in 2025. Robberies (27.6%) and thefts (27.5%) are the criminal phenomena perceived to have increased the most compared to the previous year, with figures above the national average.
The issue of " bad nightlife " is also a concern: nearly one in three entrepreneurs in the South and Islands (29.6%) fear consequences, primarily related to increased waste, urban decay, and vandalism . Furthermore, 63.4% of businesses believe they are penalized by illegal trading and counterfeiting, primarily due to unfair competition. Shoplifting is also a particularly serious problem: 61.1% of retail businesses report being affected by it, and nearly one in five businesses is targeted several times a week or daily.
According to Confcommercio, illegal activity cost Italian retail and public sector businesses over €41 billion in 2025, putting 284,000 regular jobs at risk.
"The data confirms a situation that entrepreneurs experience firsthand every day," explains Marco Mainas, president of Confcommercio Sud Sardegna. "The perception of insecurity is growing, as are concerns about the future of commercial and public businesses." "Security isn't just a public order issue, but a real economic and social issue," continues Mainas. "Where shops close, degradation and petty crime increase, neighborhoods empty, and the fabric of communities weakens. Fortunately, Cagliari remains a peaceful, welcoming, and safe city compared to other areas on the peninsula."
Confcommercio Sud Sardegna has formally requested the Police Headquarters and the Provincial Carabinieri Command to organize seminars for business owners and public establishments. The aim is to provide useful tools for dealing with risky situations , preventing crimes, and knowing how to respond in the event of criminal or suspicious incidents. The Women's Group of Confcommercio Sud Sardegna is also organizing self-defense courses for female entrepreneurs and workers in the commercial and tourism sectors, as a practical tool for personal protection, awareness, and safety.
(Unioneonline)
