Nice introduces curfew for teens

THE CITY of Nice has imposed an evening curfew on young children, with parents warned they could lose certain benefits if they repeatedly ignore it.

The ban, which comes into effect today, prevents under-13s from going out without parental supervision between 23.00 and 5.00.

It applies to non-school nights – Friday, Saturday and Tuesday – and every day of the week during school holidays and the city's carnival in February.

Children seen breaking the curfew will be driven home. Repeat offenders would be recorded on a database and, in the most serious cases, parents could lose the right to certain benefits.

The city council says the scheme is designed to protect young people from danger, not necessarily to keep a track on delinquents.

Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux said last month that he was considering a nationwide curfew scheme to tackle youth crime.