Paris (AFP)

Reinforced monitoring of social networks or reception hours of extended leisure centers: the government presents Wednesday a series of measures to fight against brawls between young people, which have plunged France several times since the beginning of the year.

This renovated plan to fight against gangs, expected since May 1, was announced in early March after two violent brawls in Essonne where a schoolgirl and a 14-year-old schoolboy had been killed.

"Faced with the increase in increasingly violent clashes, the rejuvenation of the audiences involved and the impact of social networks and instant messaging", the plan aims to "prevent the appearance of violent groups", to "strengthen the monitoring and police action "and" to improve judicial and penal responses, "said Matignon in a press release.

Among the measures planned are the extension of the reception hours of leisure centers until 8:00 p.m. in "areas marked by long commuting times between home and work" or the "creation" of social worker positions in police stations. and gendarmeries.

The "development" of mediators at school will also be "encouraged", the statement said.

The plan, which associates eleven ministries under the authority of the Prime Minister, also provides for the "development" of local crime control groups (GLTD), on the model of that set up in Paris which associates the police, town hall and services. educational programs under the aegis of the prosecution.

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He calls for "enhanced monitoring of social networks and instant messaging" to "exploit the precursor signals of abuses" and collect information on "protagonists and modus operandi".

He also calls for "reinforcement of surveillance and presence on public roads".

The government also encourages the police to mobilize all investigative techniques (video protection, operation of mobile phones or technical and scientific police) and to seize the specialized investigation services when the facts allow it.

He also wants to promote certain legal measures such as publication bans in order to "put an end to group dynamics", community service (TIG) or the obligation to follow education or training within the framework of judicial review.

According to the Interior Ministry, 357 clashes between gangs were recorded in 2020, up nearly 25% from the 288 recorded in 2019.

Sunday evening in Rouen a 16-year-old teenager was killed during a brawl between rival gangs.

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