Politics · France · 6 hrs ago
Wattignies curfew follows damage from last week's unrest
After last week's unrest damaged property in Wattignies, a town in northern France, local authorities faced pressure to respond.
The town's public swimming pool and seven bus shelters were damaged, and an artisan's van was set on fire.
The damage to the shelters alone was estimated at at least €100,000.
From 19 October, a curfew in some neighbourhoods barred unaccompanied minors from being out between 8 p.m.
and 6 a.m.
The town's mayor backed the measure, and officials said it was generally being followed four days after it began.
Some young people told reporters they would continue going out, but no major incidents had occurred in Wattignies by the time of the report.
Authorities imposed a nighttime curfew in some neighborhoods of Wattignies after damage during unrest last week.
The curfew began on Monday, October 19, and applies from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. to unaccompanied minors.
Damage included a targeted municipal swimming pool, seven damaged bus shelters and an artisan’s van set on fire.
The damage was estimated at at least €100,000.
Authorities said the curfew was generally being respected four days after it began, although some young people said they would keep going out.
- Who
- The prefecture imposed the curfew in Wattignies. It applies to unaccompanied minors in some neighborhoods.
- What
- A nighttime curfew was introduced after damage during unrest.
- When
- It began on Monday, October 19. Authorities assessed compliance four days later.
- Where
- Some neighborhoods of Wattignies, in northern France.
- Why
- The measure followed damage to a municipal swimming pool and bus shelters, and the burning of an artisan’s van.
Local authorities
Young people who said they would keep going out
Purpose of the curfew
Local authorities
The prefecture imposed it after damage during unrest, and the municipality supported the decision.
Young people who said they would keep going out
Some young people said the curfew would not change their behavior.
Compliance
Local authorities
Authorities said the curfew was generally being respected four days after it began.
Young people who said they would keep going out
Some young people said they would continue going out despite the curfew.
The municipal swimming pool was targeted, seven bus shelters were damaged and an artisan’s van was set on fire.
The curfew began in some neighborhoods of Wattignies, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for unaccompanied minors.
Authorities said the curfew was generally being respected.
The mayor visited local businesses as shopkeepers expressed concern about the following day.
- Curfew hours
- 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Who is covered
- Unaccompanied minors in some neighborhoods
- Damaged bus shelters
- 7
- Estimated damage
- At least €100,000
- Wattignies population
- 16,000
What people are saying
I’m staying open, but frankly I’m worried.
Three young people, whom we saw on the cameras, picked up stones and threw them at the windows.
Honestly, I haven’t changed anything at all. Whether there’s a curfew or not, I’ll keep going out. Nobody is going to stop me from going out.