France Tactical: Interior Minister Retailleau requests authorities to increase security near Christian establishments on November 1-2; maintain heightened vigilance

Nov 2024

10:48 UTC

Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has instructed prefects and security officials to exercise “extreme vigilance” around Christian places of worship on November 1 and 2, coinciding with All Saints Day and All Souls Day.
Retailleau cited “the very high level of the terrorist threat” as well as “the increase in international tensions” as the main reason for the security measures. He also claimed that multiple places of worship have been subject to fires, vandalism, and other forms of property damage recently, resulting in the need for “extreme vigilance.”

Source: BFM

In response to Retailleau’s directives, local authorities are expected to intensify security measures around religious services, gatherings, processions, pilgrimages, and cemeteries on November 1 and 2. Security presence will likely be increased, with potential restrictions on pedestrian and vehicular traffic near Christian sites.
This directive aligns with similar actions taken in September when the Interior Minister called for heightened vigilance around events marking the anniversary of the October 7 attacks in Israel and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Given the heightened threat level, law enforcement is anticipated to adopt a lower tolerance threshold for potential security incidents, with random checks likely near places of worship and during religious processions.

Those operating or residing in France on November 1-2 are advised to maintain heightened vigilance in the vicinity of Christian places of worship and festive events due to elevated security concerns surrounding the slated holidays.
Consider keeping a low profile and limiting the wearing or presenting of overt signs or symbols associated with Christianity, including a cross.
Alert authorities immediately upon witnessing suspicious items or behavior.
Public, private, and third-sector organizations are advised to increase their awareness of threats on social media through the use of threat monitoring services.
Increased awareness of an organization’s political footprint and perceptions from fringe online groups can help uncover potential violent actors and plots before they occur.

Low

France

Medium

Confirmed

Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has instructed prefects and security officials to exercise “extreme vigilance” around Christian places of worship on November 1 and 2, coinciding with All Saints Day and All Souls Day.
Retailleau cited “the very high level of the terrorist threat” as well as “the increase in international tensions” as the main reason for the security measures. He also claimed that multiple places of worship have been subject to fires, vandalism, and other forms of property damage recently, resulting in the need for “extreme vigilance.”

Source: BFM

In response to Retailleau’s directives, local authorities are expected to intensify security measures around religious services, gatherings, processions, pilgrimages, and cemeteries on November 1 and 2. Security presence will likely be increased, with potential restrictions on pedestrian and vehicular traffic near Christian sites.
This directive aligns with similar actions taken in September when the Interior Minister called for heightened vigilance around events marking the anniversary of the October 7 attacks in Israel and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Given the heightened threat level, law enforcement is anticipated to adopt a lower tolerance threshold for potential security incidents, with random checks likely near places of worship and during religious processions.

Those operating or residing in France on November 1-2 are advised to maintain heightened vigilance in the vicinity of Christian places of worship and festive events due to elevated security concerns surrounding the slated holidays.
Consider keeping a low profile and limiting the wearing or presenting of overt signs or symbols associated with Christianity, including a cross.
Alert authorities immediately upon witnessing suspicious items or behavior.
Public, private, and third-sector organizations are advised to increase their awareness of threats on social media through the use of threat monitoring services.
Increased awareness of an organization’s political footprint and perceptions from fringe online groups can help uncover potential violent actors and plots before they occur.

Low

France

Medium

Confirmed

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