Gérald Darmanin wants to increase the pressure on urban rodeos. For this, the Minister of the Interior sent a message on Saturday to the prefects asking them to use drones, the use of which by the police has just been authorized.
In this text, the minister asks that “police and gendarmes multiply presence operations” to “fight against urban rodeos”. “The use of drones in intelligence should not be neglected”, he adds, asking to “make these operations known”, saying to be “particularly attentive”.
Guidelines for May Day protests
The use of drones by the police has been permitted since a decree of April 19. The police and gendarmes are authorized to use these aircraft equipped with cameras in particular for the maintenance of order or the “prevention of attacks on the safety of persons and property”. The measure was passed in December 2022 as part of the Criminal Accountability and Homeland Security Act, stemming from the controversial Global Security Act.
In his SMS, Gérald Darmanin also asks the prefects “to be personally present” with the police, “and in connection with the unions” for the May Day demonstrations.
Several prefectures, including the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Rhône regional prefecture or that of New Aquitaine and Gironde, have already announced that they have issued decrees authorizing the use of drones by the forces of the order during the May Day demonstrations.