UN Conference brings extra police checks to south-east France

A major international conference is starting in Nice and is the cause of additional police and roadside checks in the south-east area of France. 

The United Nations Ocean Conference is running in the city’s harbour between June 9 and June 13, with several minor events already beginning. 

To this end, police in the city, as well as in neighbouring Saint-Laurent-du-Var and Cagnes-sur-Mer (both to the west of Nice) are increasing checks on motorists. 

“Until the end of the summit [Friday June 13], members of the national police force, together with officers from the municipal police forces [of the towns], will be mobilised to carry out daily roadside checks,” said police commissariat Sébastien Laroze in Saint-Laurent-du-Var, quoted in local media Nice Matin. 

Police are attempting to crack down on all forms of illegality, from “lack of insurance to drugs, and even to identify people on the police register,” he added.

Checks began on June 2 and have already been fruitful; the police issued 28 tickets following the 220 inspections undertaken (on June 2). 

In addition, 3 greater offences – one each for lack of insurance, driving under the influence of drugs and possession of drugs – were recorded, and one person was arrested. 

Nice is expected to be extremely busy over the coming days due to the conference, with access to the port in particular restricted. 

Between June 6 and 13, access to areas around the port will be under the authority of the UN. A second larger perimeter with increased police presence will reach from the port to major parts of the city. 

Read more: Why police checks on drivers in France are increasing