the Secretary of State meets the police officers who protect places of worship for All Saints' Day

See my news
Follow 78actu

All Saints' Day is an important time for Catholicswho are seeing increased attendance in churches. In Versailles (Yvelines), as in neighboring towns, the police were mobilized on this Friday, November 1, 2024, near places of worship, to prevent any risk of attack.

In front of the Saint-Louis Cathedralit is a crew of the national police which was stationed to ensure the security of the masses.

Prevent terrorism and delinquency

The three officials received a visit from the Secretary of State to the Minister of the Interior, responsible for Citizenship and the Fight against discrimination: Othman Nasrou. Very present in the Versailles basin since his appointment, the former municipal councilor of Trappes began his visit with a off-camera exchange with the police officers on duty at the local police station.

He then went to the cathedral, in which the morning mass was in progress, before traveling to Chesnay-Rocquencourt, to appreciate the system in place in front of the Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue church

“I am in Versailles, then in Chesnay-Rocquencourt, in a department that is dear to me. I have come to visit a system which ensures a strong presence of police officers on the ground, to allow the faithful to practice their religion in complete peace of mind. »

Static and mobile

He was accompanied by the mayor of Versailles, François de Mazières (DVD). The latter praised “the very good cooperation of the national and municipal police”.

Catholic churches which are not the only ones to be protected. “This morning, we were in front of the synagogues of Versailles and La Celle-Saint-Cloud. It is static protection, supplemented by mobile teams, including the BAC. Surveillance also installed today around cemeteries, which aims to prevent the risk of terrorism, but also classic delinquency of theft from vehicles for example,” explains Commissioner Bernard Le Hir.

The police officer did not quantitatively reveal the extent of the device. This is multifaceted, integrating the military of the Sentinel system, the municipal police, video surveillance networks and the arrangements made in front of places of worship. Rue Albert-Joly, new cameras have been deployed in front of the synagogue.

“It’s reassuring”

“We also have the informationan important component for detecting a certain number of signs that can announce violent action. This work is carried out in conjunction with religious communities,” also indicates Olivier Dimpre, director of the Yvelines national police.

On this Friday, near places of worship, the passers-by seemed rather satisfied with this vigilance. “I would prefer it not to be necessary, it’s a bit sad to come to this,” says Matthieu. “But it’s reassuring during large gatherings, like for All Saints’ Day or Easter,” adds Nicolas.

“People regularly tell us merci to be there to protect us. This was the case this morning in front of the synagogue,” confided the police officers present in front of the cathedral.

Follow all the news from your favorite cities and media by subscribing to Mon Actu.