Police says the raids should prevent crimes by foreigners

The charges ranged from exploiting prostitution to drug trafficking and burglary, and in addition police detained hundreds of illegal immigrants - including more than 350 Albanians and 100 North Africans - who would be deported.

Mr Berlusconi said that the operation, code-named "High Impact", aimed to "place a good army between people and the evil army".

He said that the raids should reassure the public over "the government's ability to defend its citizens" and reduce crime, which was one of his key promises during the elections last year.

Sweeping raids

In one raid alone, more than 100 Chinese sweatshop workers were taken into custody in the northern town of Brescia.

They will be questioned about illegal businesses which use illegal immigrants who are forced to labour in Italy for years almost without wages.

During the raids police also seized 255 kilograms of drugs and 4,000 ecstasy tablets.

The crackdown was the second stage of efforts by the Italian authorities to tackle the growing problem of illegal immigration.

Last year, more than 1,000 foreigners were summarily expelled for being in the country without papers, and more than 300 were arrested on charges of running prostitution and drug rackets.

Toughening the laws

Italy is in the process of tightening up its immigrations laws.

The government bill calls for much stricter checks of new arrivals, including immediate deportation of those found without visas or work papers.

The new regulations are due to come into force later this year.

Italy, with a 7,600-kilometre (4,720-mile) coastline, is a popular target for asylum seekers, many of whom use it as a gateway to Europe.

Expulsions of asylum seekers from Italy have increased by about 30% since Mr Berlusconi's conservative coalition came to power in June last year.