Enhanced cooperation between the Nord prefecture and Belgium. After the riots, the supply of fireworks mortars on the other side of the border is of great concern to the French authorities. As part of this collaboration, two French people living in Seine-Saint-Denis were arrested in Mouscron, Belgium, in the parking lot of a store, equipped with 2 kg of fireworks, a source told AFP. On the French side, eight people were arrested “with fireworks or weapons by destination”, she added.
The prefect of the North issued an order prohibiting until July 15 “the use, possession on the public highway as well as the sale and purchase of fireworks”. This decision follows the violence that erupted in France, after the death on June 27 of Nahel, 17, killed by a police officer during a traffic check. “It is very likely” that the decree “will be extended beyond” this date, specified the prefecture.
The town hall of Mons-en-Barœul partially burnt down
At the same time, border controls have been tightened on cross-border roads over the past five days. “It’s about preventing rioters from restocking,” she explained. The North is one of the departments particularly affected by the riots of the last few days.
Thus, the town hall of Mons-en-Barœul was partially set on fire and several municipalities, notably Roubaix and Tourcoing, were the scene of violence, with fires and the firing of fireworks aimed at public institutions. However, the situation has calmed down since this weekend, as elsewhere in France.