French Cities Enforce Child Curfews Amid Rising Drug-Related Violence

In response to a surge in drug-related violence, cities in France are imposing night-time curfews for minors. Nîmes has taken the latest measures, aiming to safeguard children from exposure to the dangers of drug trafficking. The situation has drawn significant police attention as incidents of violence escalate, highlighting the entrenched problem of drug-related crime in the country.

Authorities in Nîmes and various other cities in France are enacting night-time curfews for young people in light of a worrying spike in drug-related violence. These measures aim to shield minors from the perils associated with drug trafficking and maintain public safety amid increasing crime rates. Nîmes, a city in the south, is the most recent to establish such a curfew, restricting youth under 16 from being outside between the hours of 9 PM and 6 AM.

Mayor Jean-Paul Fournier denounced the current climate as "untenable," caused largely by drug traffickers instilling "fear and terror" in their communities. He announced additional police units would be deployed to enhance security and enforcement of the curfew. This follows a series of violent incidents, including multiple shootings, one of which occurred in broad daylight, culminating in a fatality and numerous injuries among residents.

Béziers, located about 120 kilometers southwest of Nîmes, has been under a curfew for children under 13 since last year, extending to those under 15 in select areas. Mayor Robert Ménard highlighted concerns over the presence of young children in the streets at late hours, stating, "No 10-year-old out on the street at 2 AM is up to anything but mischief." However, the city has continued to face youth-driven violence, with recent reports indicating confrontations involving balaclava-clad individuals attacking police with fireworks.

Similarly, Limoges has enforced curfew measures for individuals under 13 during the summer holidays, although Mayor Émile Roger Lombertie expressed frustration over the effectiveness of these restrictions after disturbances involved large groups of youth. "The curfew was useless," he lamented, calling for a stronger police presence to manage the situation.

This uptick in violence raises alarms reminiscent of past tragic events, including the shooting death of a 10-year-old boy in Nîmes two years ago. The frequency of drug-related incidents has surged beyond the historical epicenter of Marseille, with the interior ministry reporting 110 fatalities and over 300 injuries linked to drug violence in 2024 alone.

In response to the crisis, Interior Minister Gérard Darmanin and Justice Minister Bruno Retailleau have emphasized the importance of combating the drug trade. Recent legislative actions have led to the establishment of maximum-security prisons specifically designed to house major drug offenders and enacted new powers aimed at facilitating investigations and protecting informers.

Indeed, this ongoing battle against drug violence continues to shape public policy and community safety measures across France, with officials apprehensive about the impacts on youth and neighborhoods alike.