Racist and Anti-Religious Crimes Surge 13% in France, Interior Ministry Reports

In its activity report for last year, the Ministry of the Interior indicated in a press release that the police and gendarmerie recorded an increase in racist, xenophobic and anti-religious acts.

In total, 6,300 crimes or offenses (+13%) and 6,200 fines (+26% compared to 2019) with a racist, designating acts committed "because of ethnicity, nationality, a supposed race or religion," the note specifies.

In detail, large disparities are noted across the territory: the number of victims of these acts is much higher in the North and East of France and lower in the West, the Massif Central and overseas (excluding Guadeloupe and Mayotte). Similarly, the number of "racist" offenses per inhabitant is "very concentrated" in the East of France and "much lower" in the West, the ministry indicates.

According to the "Living Environment and Security" survey, only a quarter of the victims of racist threats or physical violence and 5% of the victims of racist insults have, on average, reported filing a complaint.