Far-right French mayor imposes curfew on children to tackle 'violence'

A far-right French mayor has announced the introduction of a nighttime curfew for children under 13 in a bid to curb alleged youth violence, which has become a political issue in the run-up to European elections in June.

Robert Ménard, the independent mayor of the southern town of Beziers, on Tuesday said the curfew would be effective every night in three neighbourhoods from 11pm to 6am until 30 September.

Children may only be outside if accompanied by an adult.

In cases of emergency or "immediate danger to themselves or others", minors may be either escorted home or to a police station, a decree filed with the police prefecture said.

Parents of the children concerned may face criminal charges.

Ménard, former associate of far-right leader Marine Le Pen, said the move was needed to combat urban violence – namely the burning of a school in 2019 and riots in July 2023 – and because an increasing number of minors were being “left to themselves in the middle of the night".

• French PM seeks 'jolt of authority' in bid to tame violent teenagers

• French PM says boarding school key step in preventing juvenile violence

Youth 'blind spot'

As many as 3,000 people marched in Beziers on Tuesday against the policies of the far-right mayor.

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