On Tuesday night, a 22-year-old Italian man attacked police officers at the Trevi Fountain in Rome, leaving one with a broken hand and two others with minor injuries.

The man, who already had a criminal record, now faces charges of resisting arrest and injury to a public official.

It’s the latest case of police being attacked by people intent on not following the COVID-19 rules.

In the early hours of Sunday morning, two police officers were treated for injuries in hospital after being attacked by a group of young people who police had spoken to about wearing masks at Rome’s Ponte Milvio.

Three people aged between 20 and 25 were charged following the incident.

“I am very worried about the climate of intolerance towards the work of the police lately in various Italian cities," Italian police chief Franco Gabrielli told Italian newspaper La Nazione after officers on patrol were attacked by a group of young people in the Tuscan town of Massa earlier this week.

 “Law enforcement officers work every day to protect constitutional rights and for the safety of citizens.

“Perhaps it is time for everyone to regain respect for the institutions and for those who represent them at the forefront.”

The spate of attacks came shortly after police began handing out fines for not wearing masks in public areas outdoors at night, with the first of the €400 penalties handed to a man in Rome on August 21, who made fun of officers and told them that “COVID-19 doesn’t exist”.

Around 10 fines for refusing to wear a face mask have been handed out each day in Italy since they were made mandatory.

Under the current rules in Italy, face masks must be worn on public transport and in public indoor spaces at all times.

They are also mandatory in busy or crowded outdoor areas between 6:00 pm and 6:00 am.

The only exceptions are for children under six or people with a health condition that makes it impossible.

The rules on wearing face masks were tightened in mid-August following a spike in new coronavirus cases.

The current rules will apply until September 7, when the government will decide whether to extend them further.