France placed on highest security alert - what changes for the public?

TEMPORARY EMERGENCY LEVEL WAS PUT IN PLACE ON FRIDAY AFTER A TEACHER WAS KILLED IN A KNIFE ATTACK IN NORTHERN FRANCE. THE INCIDENT IS BEING TREATED AS A TERRORIST ATTACK France was placed on

_urgence attentat_ – the highest level of security alert possible – on Friday (October 13) evening by Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne. It followed the DEATH OF A TEACHER in a knife attack in

Arras that day as well as fears of rising tensions and backlash caused by the conflict in Gaza. _Urgence attentat _is the third and highest level of the anti-terrorist _Vigipirate_ system

in France, which can be temporarily put in place in the immediate aftermath of a security crisis. It allows for additional resources to be used for anti-terror and security operations, such

as more armed police officers on the streets and the “dissemination of information likely to protect citizens in a crisis situation,” states the Vigipirate website. ALERT AT HIGHEST LEVEL

France was at level two of the _Vigipirate_ pyramid (_sécurité renforcée - risque attentat_) until Friday, which corresponds to an increased threat of terrorist activity, and is the highest

possible permanent level outside of a crisis. However, after the incidents on Friday, the alert level was raised. “There is no clear-cut threat [of a terrorist attack on France], but there

is an extremely negative atmosphere, notably due to the call for acts of violence,” said Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin to French news outlet TF1. “There is undoubtedly a link between the

attack [in Arras] and what is happening in the Middle East,” he added. The bulletin that coincided with the increased _Vigipirate_ level states: “the sudden deterioration of the situation

in the Middle East raises fears of a form of polarisation that could have consequences on the national territory. “In particular possible public order disturbances and targeted actions

against certain communities, their buildings and symbolic representations.” A graphic detailing the different levels of the Vigipirate system and its history can be found below READ MORE:

WHAT IS FRANCE’S VIGIPIRATE ALERT SYSTEM? WHAT DOES THE LEVEL CHANGE FOR THE PUBLIC? The most notable change will be the increased presence of armed soldiers in public places, as the

increase in _Vigipirate_ level corresponds to more resources being deployed for _opération Sentinelle_. This operation was launched in 2015 after the attack against CHARLIE HEBDO’S OFFICES

and allows armed soldiers to patrol ‘sensitive locations’ such as shopping centres, tourist areas and transport hubs in France. Up to 7,000 extra armed soldiers will patrol areas whilst the

alert level is raised, said Mr Darmanin, whilst the level is at its highest – at lower levels around 3,000 soldiers are used for these tasks. However, decisions on where security forces are

deployed are made according to the specific incident that caused the raise in level – all “administrations are asked to pay increased attention” to their local areas after the level has been

raised, said Mr Darmanin. Over the weekend, additional security forces were posted outside synagogues, including armed police officers. Alongside this, the _Vigipirate_ website says it aims

“to better inform citizens about terrorism, the mechanisms deployed to deal with it, and the gestures and behaviours that protect and save [other people].” It has released a PDF document on

ITS WEBSITE that provides information and additional resources on improving awareness before an attack, and the steps to take during. It also includes practical information for those who

own or manage an establishment open to the public. READ MORE: KEY QUOTES FROM PRESIDENT MACRON'S TV SPEECH TO FRANCE ABOUT HAMAS POLICE ID NUMBERS MUST BE MORE VISIBLE ON DUTY, RULES

FRENCH COURT