After recent unrest in France, feared riots on the night of the national holiday, July 14, largely failed to materialise.
Celebrations and fireworks could have taken place anywhere, with the number of property damage down significantly compared to last year, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said today.
“We owe this to our police officers, their presence and the numerous preventive checks carried out,” says Darmanin. 45,000 security forces were deployed on both nights.
Nearly 100 arrests
According to the ministry, 96 people were arrested across the country and 255 cars were set on fire. The numbers were significantly lower than the previous year and there were fewer problems in the Paris area. As broadcaster France Info reported with reference to the police prefecture, there were 53 arrests in the capital region. Fires were started 62 times.
After a policeman shot dead a young man during a traffic stop near Paris in late June, there were days of serious unrest in France. Authorities were attacked with fireworks and public buildings such as police stations and schools were set on fire. Thousands of burned cars.