Increased security at events in France

[Cendrillon]

OH and I went to a concert last night. A special event held in a very large church in 16. We arrived half an hour early to find barriers all around the entrance. Samu had a van parked nearby and there were one or two police and firemen hanging around.

My handbag was inspected and we were asked to show any portables or keys we were carrying. Then they used one of those hand held frisking gadgets like they use at airport security. After that we were allowed inside. The concert was well attended and started half an hour late, not sure whether this was down to extra security or " l'heure charentaise"?

I definitely saw one member of the police standing on duty inside the church. Afterwards he and a pompier were outside watching closely while the gateaux and pot de l'amitie was served.

I suppose this extra security was because of recent attacks but quite honestly it was something I hadn't thought about.

[Chancer]

They have been doing that at all of the messes at our basilique since the prêtre was killed, its rare not to see an armed presence at most public gatherings these days.

 

There is however a price to pay, all the patrols that were giving saturation coverage around the rocade at Calais have been redeployed so we are seeing the attacks once again on the lorries, last time I went through there was nothing but blue flashing lights for miles and miles.

 

The GIGN that have been controlling Amiens Nord since the last riots are no longer there, it has once again become a lawless zone, I wont say a no go zone as I still feel safe there but there are youths riding stolen motorcycles along the footpaths, pulling wheelies without a helmet and not hiding their identity like there were before the GIGN presence, they are saying once again this is our manor and the hot weather usually guarantees riots.

[woolybanana]

Plus events, particularly in the open air are being cancelled as they are just too difficult to police.

[Chancer]

When there was the inauguration of the €1 million relooking of my road which I was invited to I used it as leverage against the Maire, if he didn't start being sensible with me I said that I would make a public protest, I got word back to say let him try..........................

Not only did he cave in the day before and have people rushing around like blue ar5ed flies trying to make good his wrong before my coup médiatique but he also requested a Gendarmerie presence and was told me "they are here for you" I told him that i was flattered, when the ribbon was being cut they squeezed up on either side of me pinning my arms to my side, not that I was actually going to do anything, the pen is mightier than the sword, the journalist did articles on my (non) protest before and after the event saying that i was there wearing my protest printed T shirt but Under my shirt and that I was there to explain to people the situation following the article in the paper that morning.

I think the Police Municipale and the Gendarmes actually can or do charge for their presence which is why so many events are being cancelled, the première adjoint showed me the facture for my personal bodyguards [:D]  

[NormanH]

For the Féria in Béziers they even stationed snipers on the roof tops...[:-))]

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