2.7 million offenses recorded during the state of emergency, 54% of them in Île-de-France

Ile-de-France residents followed the rules less than other French people. Nearly 2.7 million offenses linked to the Covid-19 crisis were recorded in France between March 2020 and July 2022, according to a report from the Ministerial Statistical Service for Internal Security (SSMSI), published this Friday 22 november.

In detail, the study notes that the number of offenses was much higher during the first confinement (with a peak at 670,000 during the month of April alone) than during the second (the peak in November 2020 had reached the 250,000).

The vast majority of offenses (79%) concern non-compliance with the rules regarding travel restrictions (leaving the home without certification, leaving the authorized perimeter, etc.). 14% concern the lack of wearing a mask. Over the months, as the rules become more flexible and the French become accustomed to it, the share of offenses between 2020 and 2022 concerning travel has decreased, going from 90 to 55%. Those linked to non-compliance with wearing a mask have increased, from 7 to 31%.

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7,000 crimes, including the use of false health passes

Almost all of the infractions, 98% of them, are simple fourth-class infractions, punishable by a fine of 135 euros. Fifth class fines, numbering 50,300, account for 1.5% of cases. They were mainly issued against people participating in prohibited demonstrations. Finally, more than 7,000 crimes, which are “mostly reiterations of offenses committed more than three times” – have been recorded. They also concern the use of false health passes, mainly held by people who do not want to be vaccinated.

The Interior Ministry service notes that the offenses were mainly committed in large cities. The Paris metropolitan area alone represents 54% of them. Paris is the department where the number of offenses per inhabitant is the highest, with 116 offenses per 1000 inhabitants, followed by Seine-Saint-Denis with 80 per 1000, and Guyana, with 76 per 1000. Individuals most often sanctioned are men aged 18 to 29.