the ephemeral ice rink in Mantes-la-Jolie devastated by arson

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Is this incident, which occurred less than twenty-four hours before New Year's Eve, a harbinger of an outbreak of urban violence for New Year's Eve in Mantes-la-Jolie (Yvelines)? This December 31, 2024, around 1 a.m., two people set fire to the chalet of the ephemeral ice rink, installed since December 13 on the Val Fourré slab.

Given the extent of the damage, the equipment will not be not put back into serviceto the great dismay of the neighborhood children, many of whom have come to have fun there every day. This free activity was to remain in operation until the end of the school holidays.

No prior incident

According to our information, two “hooded” men burst onto the scene. Threateningthey ordered the security guard responsible for monitoring the installations to leave the chalet, before setting it on fire. This employee of a private security company was not assaulted and is therefore not injured.

“There has been no particular tension in recent days. Nothing suggested this, confides to us a source well informed of events. The security guard is not from the neighborhood. Otherwise, it might have calmed these young people down. »

“Those who did this must be severely punished”

Raphaël Cognet (Horizons), the mayor of Mantais, expressed his dissatisfaction on Facebook, denouncing the act of “two thugs”. “I wanted it to be installed on the Val Fourré slab to bring joy to the children of Mantes-la-Jolie. […] Thousands of families have benefited. »

“This morning I am sad and angry. Once again our entire city will be singled out because of a few. Those who did this must be severely punished. »

Angry residents too

“Unacceptable”, “disappointing”, “lamentable”, “distressing”… The mayor’s publication sparked many reactions : “It’s tiring! A minority always penalizes everyone and forgets that their actions handicap the inhabitants of the VF who are neither more nor less than those around them,” writes an Internet user.

” It's good sad for all the children who will be deprived of this pleasure! », Comments another. “Afterwards, people will complain that we forget the neighborhoods,” notes another user of the social network.

The amount of the damage was not communicated. Today at 2:30 p.m., a delegation of municipal elected officialsmust go to the Val Fourré slab to meet the inhabitants.

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