Rome is burning.

Italy’s capital city has declared the area around its famed Colosseum a “red zone,” adding extra 24-hour security to protect its citizens as well as tourists after an influx in crime.

The Colosseum, the most famous attraction in Italy, which welcomes over 7 million visitors annually, has been fraught with harrowing incidents such as “predatory crimes and drug dealing,” according to Italian news agency ANSA.

In July, a group of around 40 youths fired fireworks directly at police cars, injuring officers at Largo Gaetana Agnesi, the terrace overlooking the 1,946 year-old amphitheater and directly above its new $8.3 billion subway station.

In the ordinance, Lamberto Giannini, Rome’s prefect in charge of security, said the crimes have been carried out “predominantly by groups of young individuals of non-EU origin,” ANSA reported.

Roman officials declared the area around the Colosseum a “red zone.” Corbis via Getty Images

He also blames the spike in crime on the newly launched “Roma Colosseo” metro station, which doubles as a museum, that opened in December.

The precautionary measure, which includes around-the-clock presence of local police and military, was taken in late August and will remain in effect until Dec. 24. 

The military — armed and wearing camouflage standing by their vehicles — has always been present in the area, but has not fully deterred criminals, as per CNN.

“Security is tight here, but I just saw a woman get pickpocketed,” Janelle Triton, a Philadelphia tourist visiting the Colosseum, told CNN.

“She said the thief had gone by the time law enforcement was alerted. “We were told by our hotel not to come here at night though, so we have avoided the area.”

The red-zoned area includes the city’s main Termini train station, which is 1.2 miles from the Colosseum, St. Peter’s Basilica, which is located inside Vatican City, and the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, the site of Pope Francis’ tomb.