While the end-of-year holidays should be a period conducive to prosperity for traders, the situation is very different in Nantes and its surroundings. Many business professionals say they are distraught in the face of an increase in burglaries in recent weeks. A worrying trend which adds to already serious difficulties.
A black streak that hits small businesses
In Saint-Herblain, on the outskirts of Nantes, around ten thefts were recorded in just a few weeks. Among the victims, small traders.
For others, the material and psychological damage is much heavier. A salon manager saw her door, worth 3,000 euros, broken down for the theft of 500 euros in cash. A barber was even robbed three times in six days.
The situation is similar in the center of Nantes and on the island of Nantes, where several businesses were also targeted. Faced with this wave of thefts, some merchants have adopted preventive measures by emptying their cash registers and displaying messages in their windows indicating that there is nothing to steal.
An alarming context despite an overall drop in burglaries
According to figures communicated by the Loire-Atlantique prefecture, burglaries in commercial premises have generally decreased in 2024, with a drop of 20.3% compared to 2023. However, the frequency and location of recent thefts worry the forces of order, who suspect the involvement of the same gang, notably using two-wheelers as break-in tools.
Despite the efforts of the national and municipal police to strengthen their presence on the ground, traders feel abandoned. Although the city has deployed night patrols and installed video surveillance cameras, these measures seem insufficient to deter criminals.
This dark series highlights the challenges faced by traders in Nantes and the surrounding area, particularly during this holiday season. While these small businesses play a key role in local economic vitality, they are calling for more effective actions to ensure their safety and preserve their activity.
Photo credit: DR
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