OFFICIALS in Italy are cracking down on anyone attempting to bag themselves the best beach spot by leaving items on the sand all week.
From sunloungers to parasols, those caught trying to reserve a space in the morning or late at night could receive a fine over £400.
On a coastal suburb in Naples called Torre del Greco, officials like coastguard staff and police have been removing ‘reserved’ spots.
Tourists have been leaving items on the beach overnight in order to keep their place.
During a morning sweep of one of the beaches called Laghetto, authorities seized up to 40 items, as reported by The Guardian.
Others have complained that items like sun umbrellas and small tables have been left unattended for days by tourists reserving the space to use later on.
The port authority said: “It is a practice that recurs each summer, but it is expressly prohibited.
It added that “occupying the beach in this manner violates the regulations governing the management of maritime public domain areas.”
Anyone caught leaving belongings on the beach after sunset to keep their spot will be fined up to €500 (£425).
Beaches in Torre del Greco include Spiaggia libera Il Laghetto and Moon Beach.
This isn’t the only spot to crack down on sunlounger hogging.
These rules are being enforced by the Calpe Town Council, which affects the Costa Blanca.
Local authorities in the Spanish resort have the right to remove sunbeds, towels and parasols put on beaches before 9.30am.
Anyone whose belongings taken away will have to pay to get them back and could face a fine of up to €250 (£216).
Across Europe, other crackdowns include smoking on beaches and wearing swimwear in public spaces that aren’t the beach.
