After the terrorist attacks that hit the Bataclan and the capital in 2015, and then the city of Nice for July 14 the following year, France has always kept the Vigipirate plan level high, due to a diffuse threat. By 2020, four knife attacks had taken place, and the"Urgence Attentat" level was triggered by Jean Castex. Although the situation had since calmed down, the Hamas attack on Israel raised fears of an upsurge in terrorist attacks in the West, and on Friday November 13, 2023, a high school was hit by an attack in Arras.
At the request of Élisabeth Borne, the country immediately reverted to the maximum level. It can be implemented in the immediate aftermath of an attack, or if an identified and unlocated terrorist group goes into action. According to the government website, this level is put in place"for a limited time", while crisis management takes place. In particular, it enables"the exceptional mobilization of resources, but also the dissemination of information likely to protect citizens in a crisis situation".
Gabriel Attal, the French Minister for Education, has called for increased security around all schools, following the murder of the teacher at the Lycée Gambetta-Carnot, three years after that of Samuel Paty. The State, local authorities, public and private operators and the general public are called upon to be vigilant, preventative and protective. If you witness a suspicious event, contact the police directly by dialing 17 or 112.
