Rome - Italy's conservative government introduced Friday harsher penalties for rape and other sexual abuse cases, the creation of civilian anti-crime patrols and an extension to the period for which illegal immigrants can be kept in detention centres.

The measures contained in a decree approved by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's cabinet, come in the wake of several high profile gang-rape cases.

They also follow rioting by Tunisian would-be immigrants protesting their repatriation from a detention centre on the island in Lampedusa.

"The government is not acting on a wave of emotion," Berlusconi told reporters.

He said his cabinet was working to keep the centre-right's April 2008 election promise to combat crime and curb illegal immigration.

Rape cases have declined 10 per cent in 2008, compared to the 2006-2007 period when Italy was governed by the centre-left, Berlusconi said.

The decree introduces mandatory life sentences for people convicted of gang-rape, sexual assault resulting in murder and violent sexual abuse of children.

Those charged with such crimes, as well as suspects "caught in the act" for child prostitution and child pornography, "sex tourism" crimes committed abroad, will be kept in jail while awaiting trial, according to the decree.

Recent decisions by magistrates to issue house arrest instead of prison orders to several rape suspects have triggered public outcry in Italy.

The decree also contains a controversial clause allowing mayors to recruit civilians to conduct anti-crime patrols in towns and city.

Italy's opposition opposes the measure saying it will lead to the creation of "ronde" or vigilante squads, taking the law into their own hands and likely to target immigrants.

But Maroni denied this, saying the patrols would "preferably" consist of retired policemen as well as off-duty soldiers and firefighters.

"They will not carry weapons, and will only be equipped with radio transmitters or mobile phones to alert police," he explained.

As for illegal immigrants, Maroni said the government's would continue to seek their "expulsion" except when minors or asylum- seekers are involved.

The decree increases from two to six months the period in which would-be immigrants are to be kept in detention centres.

This will allow for their proper identification and for arranging their repatriation with the authorities of their countries of origin, Maroni said.

Human rights activists, the Roman Catholic Church and much of Italy's opposition say this will lead to overcrowding at the detention centres with associated health and security risks such as the current situation in Lampedusa.

Maroni said the government plans to convert former army barracks and other structures located "away from urban centres and preferably close airports to ease swift repatriation." (dpa)