Activists have carried out a Robin Hood-inspired attack on short-term let properties amid growing anger towards over-tourism in Rome.

In an act of anonymous sabotage, protesters hacked off several black key safes from properties in the centre of Italy’s capital city. Tourists typically pick up keys to the property from the safes and check themselves in.

They stuck a protest note to a lamp post along with a green Robin Hood-type felt hat.

The sabotage happened in a street that runs through the epicentre of Rome’s ancient ruins – between the chariot arena Circus Maximus and the Palatine Hill, the home of emperors since the founding of Ancient Rome.

“If you are looking for the key safes and can’t find them, read this,” one note read.

“We are rebelling. We have removed these key storage boxes to denounce the sell-out of the city to short-stay holidays which alienate locals and leave residents out on the streets.”

The protesters said there had been “an exponential growth” in recent years in rental costs.

Many Roman landlords are turfing out their long-term tenants in the hopes of switching to short-term rentals and cashing in, particularly in the run-up to next year’s Jubilee, a special Vatican year of events expected to attract up to 30 million visitors.