In France, a town imposes a curfew on all youth under 16

No, this isn't an April Fool's joke. In this French town and since the 1st April, young people under 16 haven't been allowed out after 11 pm. The decree is aimed at protecting this section of the population.

In Carpentras, in the Vaucluse region, and since the 1st April, young people under 13 are no longer allowed to move around town alone between 11pm and 6am. Teenagers under 16 must also comply with the rule in some neighbourhoods such as Bois de l’Ubac and Pous du Plan.

More protection for young people

The new measure is aimed at protecting young people and limiting their involvement in drug trafficking, reports the media Demotivateur. In Carpentras, several minors have already been involved in these kinds of traffics, either as dealers or lookouts.

The town's mayor, Serge Andrieu, explains in an interview with Actu Vaucluse: “I think that a 13-year-old has no business being on the streets at 11pm. At 13, they're still a child, they can't be wandering the streets alone, it isn't possible. So the municipal police will stop them and take them back to the station. This decision is intended to prevent public disorder and to protect our young people. It's also intended to prevent and combat minors’ involvement in drug trafficking.”

Ignoring the curfew?

And what happens if young people don't comply with the new decision? If the curfew is not respected, they will be immediately taken to the police station or to a Children's Social Aid home. And in case of a repeat offence? The young person's parents might be prosecuted.

The curfew will apply until the 31st October 2025 and could be extended thereafter, states Demotivateur.

(MH with Raphaël Liset - Source: Demotivateur - Illustration: ©Unsplash)