TerrorismFrench beaches to be patrolled by armed police lifeguards

Published 28 June 2016

The vacation season in France is about the start, and the French authorities have decided to place armed police lifeguards – who will also wear bullet-proof vests — on the country’s busiest beaches amid fears that terrorists may target beachgoers and vacationing families. Islamist terrorists have recently attacked beach resorts in Tunisia and Ivory Coast.

The vacation season in France is about the start, and the French authorities have decided to place armed police lifeguards – who will also wear bullet-proof vests — on the country’s busiest beaches amid fears that terrorists may target beachgoers and vacationing families.

France has been under emergency regulations since the November 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris.

France’s CRS riot police officers have been routinely deployed as lifeguards at beaches and resorts every July and August, but until this year, they have left their guns, flak jackets, and helmets in the police station in favor of swimming trunks and T-shirts when assigned to beach duty.

The Daily Mail reports that the police officers will be deployed at beach first-aid centers, and will carry guns in sand-proof holsters, specially designed for use with beachwear. Bullet-proof vests will be kept near the lifeguard posts.

“We will be ready to act if there is an armed attack on a beach,” Nicolas Comte, a police union spokesman, said. 

Analysts say that the decision was motivated, at least in part, by the need to reassure foreign tourists that France was a safe holiday destination. Islamist terrorists have recently attacked beach resorts in Tunisia and Ivory Coast.

Some officers welcomed the decision, but critics said the officers would look foolish carrying guns while wearing swimming trunks.

“We will be swimming in ridicule,” said Frédéric Lagache of another police union, Alliance. “It is necessary to keep police and tourists secure on beaches, but not in this manner. I don’t like the idea of a CRS officer intervening with a gun and a bullet-proof vest while in swimming trunks.”

France’s beaches are not to only thing the French police must secure. The Euro 2016 will not end until 10 July, and the Tour de France bicycle race is about the begin.

With the demands on the police growing, local councils are contributing unarmed volunteers, firemen, and municipal police to serve along the CRS lifeguards.