Joint patrols on Lake Lugano between naval units of the Italian and Swiss Police Forces have begun

On 27 November 2024, Italy and Switzerland launched the joint patrols on Lake Lugano aimed at strengthening border controls and increase the security of border areas. Specifically, the first surveillance activity was carried out by a naval unit of the Guardia di Finanza, supplied with the Naval Operations Section Lake Lugano and a vessel of the Federal Police of the Canton of Ticino.

The technical agreement for the implementation of the “naval patrols” was signed, in the summer of this year, by the Inter-force Service for International Police Cooperation of the Italian Ministry of the Interior and the Swiss counterpart. The patrols, which are carried out, in addition to Lake Ceresio, also on the Lake Maggiore the naval units of the Italian Navy take part Como Air and Naval Operations Department of the Guardia di Finanza, of the Carabinieri and the State Police, while for the Swiss side the patrol boats of the Ticino Cantonal Police.

The activities consist of checks on vessels sailing on lakes where the state border is located, to prevent and repress illicit behavior. They can also be performed rescue operations in case of accidents and emergencies.

The agreement between the Italian and Swiss administrations responsible for lake controls will not only allow a greater presence on the internal waters of the two countries by the police forces, but will also facilitate the exchange of information and best practices between operators, in order to make surveillance activities increasingly widespread and effective.