Gassing and theft on Italian night trains

[Pinch]

Anyone have any first hand experience (or know from reliable friends/relatives) how safe Italian night trains are?

We are planning our first overseas holiday to Italy and were thinking of taking a night train from Venice to Paris in a private sleeper compartment.

There are all these stories on the net about thefts on trains, gassing compartments to knock victims out then ransacking their stuff, train staff on the take using or giving thieves staff keys to access locked compartments etc.

There are also people saying its all myth and they haven't had any drama's.

Any first hand experiences?

Also any issues with other petty crime in Italy/France?

Cheers

Pinch