Bank robberies decrease in Italy, but Sicily is the most affected: ten assaults and 1 robbery for every 100 branches

"There is a decrease in bank robberies across the country, but Sicily ranks first in this sad classification with ten heists and a robbery rate of one per hundred branches, the highest in Italy." This is stated by Gabriele Urzì, national manager of Fabi and head of health and safety Fabi Palermo, who examined the latest data published by Ossif, the research center of Abi on crime safety, at the end of 2025.

"In 2024 - adds Urzì - the highest number of robberies occurred in Sicily with ten cases, followed by Lombardy (nine) and Campania (seven). Overall, robberies have decreased in thirteen regions, including Lombardy (-53%), but the data in Sicily is concerning. Also regarding the risk level, the highest value was recorded in Sicily with an index of 1 robbery per 100 branches, a value higher than the national average (0.3 robberies per 100 branches)".

"Among the top ten provinces - notes the FAbi manager - Catania was the most affected with six robberies committed compared to three recorded in 2023, while Palermo is in seventh place with two heists. Also regarding the risk index, the highest value was recorded in Catania with 2.8 robberies per 100 branches (up from 1.3 in 2023). Notable are also Caltanissetta with 1.7 and Palermo with 0.8. The national average is 0.3 robberies per 100 branches".

"The criminals - emphasizes Urzì - primarily acted in pairs (44% of cases) or alone (35%), disguising their faces (79%), within a time frame not exceeding ten minutes (63%) and accessing the premises through the main entrance (77%). The robberies were mainly concentrated on Fridays (31%), while regarding the time, there was a prevalence of robberies occurring between 9 and 10 AM (21%). The robbers predominantly used firearms (43%) or bladed weapons (36%)".

According to Urzì, to "reverse this trend, targeted and multilayered interventions are needed, involving banks, institutions, and law enforcement." "Security is not a cost, but an investment, and protecting those who work at the counters also means safeguarding the trust of citizens in the banking system. Sicily deserves attention, resources, and concrete solutions."