Already heavily penalized for two years by the restrictions linked to the health crisis, Nantes nightlife establishments are now subject to customer concern due to the sting affair. Several young people, mostly customers of bars and nightclubs in Nantes, have indeed reported having been bitten recently by an undetermined object while they were dancing or chatting. All had a small suspicious mark on the body. Some say they have felt dizzy or headache.
Ten complaints were filed. Justice, which invited the victims to come forward, opened an investigation at the end of last week. Without being able, at this stage, to establish a link with a possible administration of toxicological products, in particular GHB. No sexual assault following a sting was recorded.
“We found no syringes, no drugs, no needles”
“What is the purpose of this malicious act? To inject a substance or simply to sow fear? asks Simon Boisson, co-manager of the Warehouse, Nantes’ main nightclub. On February 24, after the report of a client in the middle of the evening, his establishment “searched everyone by surprise”, or 2,600 people. “We found no syringes, no drugs, no needles. Nothing either when we went through the premises with a fine-toothed comb. All this is extremely vague, we do not understand. »
In the meantime, the case is making a lot of noise on social networks and the psychosis is “already installed”, considers Simon Boisson. “We have suffered a very significant drop in attendance since last weekend. We also have clients who are extremely on edge. When there is friction, it triggers a panic attack. There are people who imagine being stung when not at all. It’s stressful. “The other nightclubs in Nantes make the same observation on attendance,” laments Guillaume Toutin, co-president of the association. Night Safety Nantesemphasizing that “the profession did not need that”.
“Customer safety has gone up a notch”
A little stunned, the professionals of the night world do not remain, however, with folded arms. “Customer safety, which was already an essential mission, has gone up a notch since last weekend. All staff are made aware, camera checks are reinforced, and searches too. Many establishments, including bars, have also ordered caps to put on the glasses to avoid adding a drug to the drink,” says Guillaume Toutin. This professional security officer recognizes, however, that the object of the sting is “very very complicated to spot”. “Especially since we don’t really know what we are looking for. Is it a syringe? A bug? We do not know. If in doubt, we urge potential victims not to keep it to themselves and to approach the staff or the police. »
The boss of the Warehouse, who employs around sixty employees for each evening, explains that he has now added a control stage at the entrance, recruited an additional security guard, invested in an additional video device in addition to the many high-speed cameras definition. Rescuers from the Civil protection are also present on site to meet the needs. “We are in a place where there is one of the highest levels of security in France,” says Simon Boisson. At the slightest report, an internal investigation is triggered. The well-being of our customers is essential. The important thing now is that we find the troublemakers and that the phenomenon stops. And that we can finally resume a normal life. »