Saint-Tropez: CRS officers called in to help with the increase in violent robberies

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Around thirty CRS officers arrived as reinforcements in the streets of Saint-Tropez ( Var ) to combat robberies and thefts of luxury goods. One of the latest incidents took place on the weekend of Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 August. A watch was stolen, and a resident witnessed the theft. "We saw a guy jump on the scooter. We thought it was someone trying to stop the thief. But no, it was a second thief," she reported.

Since mid-June, 23 watch thefts and three robberies have reportedly taken place, according to the prefecture. So, the news is reassuring for both residents and tourists. "I think it's great, because with the high-end clientele here, there needs to be more and more protection, otherwise they won't come anymore," comments a passerby.

Some are changing their habits and choosing to stop wearing watches. "I don't wear them. They're just hidden and there's no point showing them off," says one man. A jewelry salesman confides, off camera, that he avoids the subject with his customers so as not to dissuade them.

The CRS company is expected to patrol every day, in addition to the gendarmes, until the end of the week on the occasion of the August 15 weekend, one of the busiest of the year.