Gérald Darmanin asks the police to intensify checks and “proceed to the systematic seizure of the devices used”

“I ask you to resume without delay the necessary measures to fight against this phenomenon endangering our fellow citizens.” In a circular dated Friday April 7, which France Télévisions was able to consult, the Minister of the Interior asks the police and the prefects to reinforce the “control operations” and the “systematic entry of used gear” during urban rodeos.

Gérald Darmanin is also calling for“optimize the use of video protection”of“systematically initiate legal proceedings”of“identify the places where motorized vehicles are stored, in conjunction with social landlords and the municipal police, and seize vehicles that can be used to commit rodeos”. The Minister also requires the continuation of “awareness-raising and prevention actions, in conjunction with local associations and youth leisure centres”.

Nearly 7,000 verbalizations since March 1

“The return of favorable weather and incidents linked to motorized urban rodeos since the weekend of April 1 and 2 (…) requires the mobilization of all services to prevent and repress these behaviors”writes Gérald Darmanin in his letter.

The tenant of Place Beauvau also claims that, since March 1, 2023, “already 6,900 operations to fight against rodeos have been carried out throughout the territory, having led to more than 38,000 checks, 350 arrests, nearly 7,000 verbalizations and the seizure of more than 100 two-wheelers”.