The Italian government is considering new security measures following a weekend of violence in Milan and other cities in northern Italy. Protests over the cost of living, fuel prices and the tax burden escalated into clashes with police. In Milan, on Saturday, October 17, groups of masked demonstrators threw stones, bottles and firecrackers at officers, damaged cars and street furniture, and looted shops in the city centre, including around Piazza del Duomo, the city's landmark square. Police responded with tear gas and water cannon. Violence flared again on Sunday, with shop windows smashed and supermarkets and stores looted. Clashes were also reported in Turin, Bologna, Brescia and Bergamo. Police figures for Saturday's incidents included 28 arrests, 43 people reported to prosecutors and 141 law enforcement officers injured. On Sunday, more than 200 people were stopped for questioning in Milan, around 80% of them minors. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Alfredo Mantovano, the undersecretary to the prime minister, convened a meeting with Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, Justice Minister Carlo Nordio, senior police officials and intelligence chiefs to review the recent unrest and investigate whether the disturbances had been coordinated. Proposals under consideration include extending arresto in flagranza differita – a procedure allowing arrests on the basis of evidence gathered after an incident – to minors, as well as expanding the use of preventive detention ahead of demonstrations. The measures are still under discussion and have raised questions about their constitutionality and how effectively they could be enforced.