Napoli have taken action to protect players and their families following a spate of attacks that are believed to be Mafia-related.

The Camorra crime syndicate, which has significant control in Naples, are thought to be behind the series of crimes suffered by members of the Napoli squad.

Edinson Cavani's house was burgled while he was away on international duty and his agent Claudio Angellucci was mugged soon after. In November Marek Hamsik's pregnant wife was carjacked at gunpoint and a week later Ezequiel Lavezzi's girlfriend revealed that two men stole her watch on the street.

Italian police believe that the players have been targeted because of their high profiles.

"The short space of time over which this has happened leaps out at you, which is why we are looking at these incidents with a certain interest," Naples chief of police Luigi Merolla told newspaper Corriere della Sera.

A Napoli official has confirmed to Yahoo Sports that players will be receiving extra protection.

"Steps to safeguard the wellbeing of our players have been [implemented]," said the official.

"We do not want to take any chances."

The Camorra were thought to be closely involved with Napoli during the late 1980s when they secured two Serie A titles.