“This summer season, in terms of security, is a complete success”: the prefect congratulates the security forces for their mobilization

The prefect spoke alongside the departmental bosses of the gendarmerie, the police and the firefighters. Midi Libre – DORIAN CAYUELA

All the security forces were represented at this reception in the halls of the prefecture in Montpellier. – DORIAN CAYUELA

Despite reduced numbers due to reinforcements sent to the Olympic Games, security in the department recorded almost all favorable figures. The prefect congratulated the security forces at a reception dedicated to them. The only downside during this period: the anti-Semitic attack in La Grande-Motte.

Police, gendarmerie, firefighters, and other security forces were recently invited to the salons of the prefecture for a tribute dedicated to them. Prefect François-Xavier Lauch wished to extend his congratulations to them, at the end of a summer which, in Hérault, ended with almost all favorable statistics, despite reduced staff numbers this year, due to reinforcements sent to the Olympic Games sites.

“You haven't taken any vacation”

The prefect reminded “the absence of mobile forces, lifeguards for two municipalities in the department, and the sending of significant reinforcements to Paris and Marseille: 554 national police officers, 175 gendarmes, nearly 550 firefighters. Meanwhile, in Montpellier, in Hérault, we had our usual events to manage: July 14 celebrations, Béziers Feria, Saint-Louis, many votive festivals.  Events assumed "thanks to the fact that you did not take any leave", underlined François-Xavier Lauch.

"Sharp increase in drug seizures"

Apart from the violence intra-family up 16%, “almost all other indicators are down”, the prefect rejoiced. “32% fewer violent robberies, 83% fewer violence against people on public transport, 10% fewer burglaries at a time when we are living in difficult times on this subject, 10% fewer vehicle thefts”. And to continue: “We have not given up on our major priorities during this period.” The State representative highlighted an “intensified” fight against drug trafficking and the "sharp increase in drug seizures". "The number of traffickers implicated increased by 150% in August 2024 compared to August 2023, and by 50% overall over the two months of the summer".

Another figure cited by the prefect is the 30% increase in the number of public highways in the department in July and August. In terms of illegal musical gatherings: “There have been two rave parties since the start of the season. Last year, we had exceeded forty. This is the result of the orders I made and the fact that the police and gendarmes mobilized as soon as they learned about these events."

Toll darkened by the attack in La Grande-Motte

François-Xavier Lauch argued that “This summer season, in terms of security, is a complete success, unfortunately overshadowed by the anti-Semitic attack in La Grande Motte. But it is a total satisfaction that I want to give to the security forces."

The prefect also notes a "short season" of forest fires, with 404 hectares of natural spaces burned in the department since the beginning of the year, including 309 hectares during the fire in the Gardiole massif in the municipalities of Gigean and Frontignan, on August 18. A massif that had been closed to the public by the prefect, due to the risk weather. Nearly 1,000 fires were contained. This was thanks to "an extremely strong preventive system", combining departmental and national resources.

Prevention of terrorism: the “prodigious work of men and women in the shadows”

During his tribute to the security forces, the prefect also highlighted the work carried out in preventing the risk of terrorism. “There is an activity that is rarely discussed and that I want to salute from the bottom of my heart, that of the territorial intelligence services, of internal security. I think I can say that we have never followed radicalized targets so well in the department, by working on these people with judicial or para-judicial means. I am thinking of the house searches that we have increased, of the Micas (individual administrative control and surveillance measures) that we have reactivated. If, perhaps, we have avoided attacks, it is because there are men and women in the shadows who have done an absolutely prodigious job this summer. “&Of course, I will not pass over in silence the anti-Semitic attack in La Grande-Motte that occurred at the very end of the period", continued François-Xavier Lauch, saluting in passing "all the security personnel who were involved in this attack."