RoP News }: France to step up security at Christmas markets due to ‘very high’ terror threat

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France to step up security at Christmas markets due to ‘very high’ terror threat​

France is set to step up security at Christmas markets across the country over the 'very high' threat of terror it is facing.

In a memo sent to regions across France, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez asked officials to ensure that intelligence services are mobilised 'in the detection, prevention and, where necessary, thwarting of terrorist threats'.

Nunez called for extra vigilance over the 'management of pedestrian traffic to optimise its protection and control'.

He also asked for local officials to issue 'orders prohibiting and restricting parking and traffic' at large-scale events, as well as increased video surveillance.

He cited terror attacks across Europe as reasons for increased protection, including the incident in Strasbourg in 2018 that saw an Islamist extremist slaughter five and wound 11 with a knife and a revolver.

Nunez said these new guidelines applied to 'all actors in the security continuum', including local elected officials, private security companies, transport operators, and associations present at these events.

The UK's foreign office warns that 'terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in France', citing previous instances of knife attacks, shootings, bombings and vehicle attacks.

Last month, Le Monde reported that France faces a new generation of terrorists who are likely to be more unpredictable in their attacks.

French Gendarmes walk along an alley of the Christmas market in Strasbourg, France, on November 26, 2025


According to the newspaper, data from intelligence services suggests that two-thirds of terror attacks since 2020 were carried out by people not previously identified as potential threats.


The latest generation of terrorists are now likely to be impulsive, reducing the chance of early detection.

And with young people being far more digitally savvy than previous generations, the likelihood of hiding their online activity is higher, making detection and prevention harder.

On top of this, they may also be more likely to be inspired by other attacks, increasing the risk of copycat incidents.

According to Le Monde, 70% of the 37 people arrested for jihadist terror plots since 2023 were under the age of 21.

Some people as young as 15 have been arrests in connection with terror plots.

And since the beginning of 2025, six planned attacks have been thwarted: Those implicated ranged in age from 17 to 22.

Last month, survivors of the Bataclan and co-ordinated Paris terror attacks revealed how they are still rebuilding their lives a decade on.

Policemen speak with a military in the streets of Strasbourg, eastern France, after a shooting breakout, on December 11, 2018


On November 13, 2015, jihadist attacks which targeted the Bataclan concert hall, cafes and restaurants in Paris and the Stade de France stadium, claimed the lives of 130 people in the French capital.

Eva and Bilal were among the hundreds wounded. Stephane, Eric, Aurelie and Sophie mourn loved ones. A decade later, they shared what it means to live on.

'I have a huge scar on my arm,' said Eva, 35. In summer, she said she feels strangers staring and has considered reconstructive surgery, but 'on black skin, it's complicated'.

'It's been 10 years, it's part of me,' said the Parisian who did not give her second name, publicly sharing her story for the first time.