Brussels, Oct 20. (dpa/GNA) – Curfews have been imposed on minors in several towns in northern France, following serious riots over the weekend.
The measures are initially set to apply on Monday and Tuesday between 8 pm (1800 GMT) and 6 am,in Lille, Douai, Wattignies and Denain, the prime minister’s office confirmed to dpa on Monday.
Citing the prefecture of the Nord department, on the border to Belgium, French media reported that the curfews were still being finalized, and were expected to apply to “certain areas” of the towns.
Earlier, Prime Minister SĂ©bastien Lecornu, announced local curfews, following a crisis meeting of the government in Paris in response to serious incidents of rioting and looting, that marred nationwide protests against the high cost of living in France.
The restrictions were intended to be “partial” and “very locally limited,” said Lecornu. One aim was to protect people and, in particular, shops that had suffered from looting.
At least 3,000 shops have been damaged or looted, Trade Minister Serge Papin said.
Lecornu emphasized that the “chaos” was confined to city centres.
“My determination to restore order is absolute,” said Lecornu, announcing that he would use all the means at the government’s disposal if necessary.
GNA