As part of a campaign against foreign pickpockets on public transport, Italy’s government has proposed a bill that aims to improve public safety, including by potentially tougher penalties for female offenders who are pregnant or have very young children, Reuters reports.

The League party coalition has long called for the repeal of the rule that prohibits pregnant women or women with children from being sent directly to prison if they are caught stealing.

“This is a League battle that the left has blocked in recent months,” League leader and Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini wrote on Facebook.

Under the proposal, judges would be allowed to issue orders to jail such thieves, especially if they are repeat offenders, but would not be required to do so, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi told a news conference.

“This is aimed at avoiding the use of the status of motherhood as a pretext for committing a crime,” the minister said.

The government’s move drew sharp criticism from the opposition. In a statement, the Green-Left Alliance (AVS) called it “abuse of pregnant women and their children… who are innocent”.

The measure was included in a government bill that must be approved by both houses of parliament before becoming law.

The bill also targets environmental activists who block highways and streets demanding action on climate change, angering motorists.