Paris police prefect urges merchants to boost security after recent unrest

After a weekend of violent clashes and shop looting in Paris, police prefect Patrice Faure addressed a letter to the city’s elected representatives, asking them to pass on new safety guidelines to merchants. He noted that many stores had been damaged or robbed and that some individuals were directly harmed. Faure emphasized that while police presence would be increased, it could not guarantee protection for every premises, so private security, including canine teams, should be considered.

He also recommended that shops close earlier or remain closed during protests and the following evening, secure windows, terraces, and displayed goods, and remove any objects that could be used as projectiles. Merchants were instructed to stay inside during disturbances and dial emergency numbers if needed, and Faure assured them of full police, gendarmerie, and fire-fighter support. The same day, the police prefecture issued an order banning a planned demonstration by the Interfac IDF collective, citing the organizer’s inability to prevent abuses.