As every year in France for decades, the rite of passage to the new year caused disturbances to public order which required the massive commitment of the police.
Like every year, the New Year in France was marked by disturbances to public order, requiring massive mobilization of the police. Nearly 90,000 police officers and gendarmes have been deployed across the territory to ensure the safety of the French, according to a press release from Bruno Retailleau, Minister of State and Minister of the Interior.
A worrying report
The night of December 31 saw 984 vehicles burned, a sad ritual that has become almost symbolic of this celebration. Serious incidents were also reported, including the use of fireworks mortars, which injured several people. Among the highlights:
- In Lyon, a two-year-old child was seriously injured in the face by a fireworks mortar. His condition raises serious concerns, with a risk of permanent disability.
- In Thonon-les-Bains, an individual was transported in absolute emergency after an incident involving a mortar.
- In Lormont, a mortar shot caused a fire which destroyed an apartment.
Across the country, 420 arrests were made, a large proportion of them for mortar fire directly targeting security forces. These arrests led to 310 police custody.
A firm condemnation
In his press release, Bruno Retailleau denounced violence which he describes as« ensauvagement »attributed to “cowards” and “thugs” who attack the property of often modest French people. He insisted on the importance of not getting used to this annual assessment, always considered “too heavy”.
The minister also praised the commitment of the police, firefighters and civil security volunteers, who sacrificed their New Year’s Eve to protect the population. Their dedication, he recalled, is essential to maintain order and guarantee security during the festive period.
A call for a global response
Recognizing that the security response, although essential, cannot be enough to stem this violence, Bruno Retailleau called for broader mobilization. Three priority areas were mentioned:
- A reinforced judicial response : The minister reiterated his commitment to exemplary sanctions, stressing that “real prevention is real sanctions”. He welcomed the declarations of the Minister of Justice, who shares this objective.
- Educational accountability : The minister insisted on the need to hold accountable parents deemed to be failing, who play a role in the drift of their children.
- A policy of authority and firmness : Affirming his refusal to give in to fate, Bruno Retailleau promised to pursue a strict policy to protect the French.
