France has stepped up security measures, including targeted overnight curfews and restrictions on gatherings, after a weekend of violent rioting and looting which led to 2,400 arrests in the country.
Nice, on the French Riviera, also imposed an overnight curfew for minors from 9pm, AP reported. Lecornu had earlier called on regional authorities to impose curfews where needed, Bloomberg reported. The riots led to thousands of businesses being affected, with public buildings, including city halls, targeted. The demonstrations, which began over rising living costs and declining public services, turned violent in several cities. The unrest even brought down the historic town hall in Limoges, which was ‘largely destroyed’ in a fire. The curfew, which includes the city of Lille, will be in place for the next two days from 8pm to 6am. Violence ensued in several cities, with masked groups attacking law enforcement, breaking into public buildings and setting some ablaze. Shops were looted and cars, bicycles and scooters were set on fire during the stir.
The Paris police issued an overnight curfew on Monday which targeted two areas of the French capital, prohibiting anyone from entering or remaining at the Place de la République, which was one of the sites where rioting took place on Saturday (October 17). Local curfews were imposed for children and teenagers under the age of 18 in several cities in northern France starting Monday. Nearly 2,400 people were arrested on Saturday, according to the French interior ministry data. Violence and looting continued on Sunday night, with another 108 arrests in Paris.
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said more details on the “very limited” and “localised” curfews would be announced later Monday following consultations with mayors. The French PM did not rule out imposing a state of emergency after the interior minister said police had “lost control”. Nationwide, over 2,513 people were arrested since the weekend, Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin said, adding that 67 had been jailed and “dozens” of criminal cases opened, according to AFP.
The curfew was imposed from 11pm on Monday till 6am on Tuesday, with demonstrations and gatherings banned from 8pm, the Paris police said.
