About 300 Gypsies living in a camp in Rome attacked five Police staff, who were inspecting the area. Two Romanian Gypsies have been arrested in the events' aftermath, according toLa Republicca newspaper, quoted by Romanian news agency Mediafax.

The incident took place on Sunday, on entering Porta Portese, a traveller camp in Tor Sapienza (Rome). The Gypsies gather here weekly to sell second-hand objects illegally, in poor sanitation conditions.

On seeing a police squad, The Gypsies became violent and attacked their car. The eight police members were quickly surrounded and five of them were trashed.

"I saw death with my very own eyes. We realised it was planned. Fortunately, we were saved by a few persons who called the police", said one of the police staff.

Two Romanian gypsies have been arrested in the aftermath of the events.