‘Ban car arsonists from driving’

Young vandals who burn cars should be banned from having a driving licence until they have compensated their victims, it is proposed.

President Sarkozy made the suggestions after numbers of burned out cars during New Year’s Eve went up from 878 in 2007 – 2008 to 1,147.

Receiving emergency service staff who worked through the night, the president said: “I want us to think about the possibility for courts to ban a minor found guilty of burning a vehicle from having a driving licence, either for a car or motorbike, as long as the victim of the attack, or their insurance company, has not been repaid in full.

“There is no reason why honest people should have to pay for the consequences of delinquent behaviour.”

During the night, 288 people were arrested (up 11%), of whom 219 were placed in police custody (up 32%).

Photo: Timm Williams