Italy’s parliament has given final approval to a law criminalising illegal immigration and allowing citizens’ patrols to help the police keep order.

The new measures have been strongly criticised by human rights groups and the Vatican.

Illegal immigration will be punishable by a hefty fine and those who knowingly house illegal migrants will face up to three years in prison.

The law also extends detention periods for illegal migrants to six months.

It was passed in the Senate (upper house) on Thursday, with 157 in favour and 124 against. The lower house passed it in May.

The unarmed citizens’ patrols are among the most controversial measures.

A right-wing uniformed group called the Italian National Guard was set up last month, likened by some to Benito Mussolini’s Fascists. It vowed to start patrolling the streets.

But Interior Minister Roberto Maroni said the group, which sports beige uniforms and black military-style hats, would not be allowed to mount street patrols. BBC.

And how exactly will they stop the Italian National Guard from patrolling the streets, surely all they have to do is leave their uniforms at home and they look like any other Italian citizen – vigilantes never a good idea.