Why the high Police presence

[jpchenet]

Whilst I appreciate that the French Police want to stop anyone from speeding or drink driving, I am disturbed to hear of the presence of the French equivalent of Riot Police, who themselves have a reputation for hitting out/shooting first and asking questions later.

Forgive me if I am wrong but I have never experienced any trouble at Le Mans, which I myself believe is a testament to the general fun and friendly atmosphere that everyone seems to bring themselves and experience in return. My worry is that the presence of these additional forces could actually create a worse atmosphere??

Does anyone know what is happening and why??

[Andy]

Do they really think that just because we are Brits, we like a good drink that we are a bunch of mindless football thugs who will rise to a fight at even the slightest provocation, (hello!).
i also like JP have never never experienced any trouble whatsoever in the 13yrs ive been anywhere around LM.
Just take the world cup last year, for me watching it with 200 danes and 100 brits went down a treet.

to the police reading these forum posts, please reply here with a reason why you want to make us feel welcome at your wonderful La Sarthe?

[Kpy]

The CRS are there every year. It isn't something new.
But we have a new right wing government after years of laissez faire and they are determined to crack down on what they see as anti-social behaviour. Best to sus the scene out before going wild!

[Kpy]

Do they really think that just because we are Brits, we like a good drink that we are a bunch of mindless football thugs who will rise to a fight at even the slightest provocation, (hello!).
i also like JP have never never experienced any trouble whatsoever in the 13yrs ive been anywhere around LM.
Just take the world cup last year, for me watching it with 200 danes and 100 brits went down a treet.

to the police reading these forum posts, please reply here with a reason why you want to make us feel welcome at your wonderful La Sarthe?

I have seen several people badly hurt over the years, in the mad Friday "japes", incuding a motorcyclist who went thtough the screen of a Jaguar, putting himself and the car's passenger in hospital. And we all remember the hit and run Ferrari in 2001. Not every frenchman or woman appreciates the innocent intent of being soaked by a high powered water gun, etc.
There are quite a few French people who avoid the race like the plague because the don't want to encounter what they see as drunken hordes of Brits and other "Furriners". Gilles will confirm what I say, but I have it first hand, even from people who live inside the circuit and who get free race passes.

One man's fun .............

[jpchenet]

I fully agree with you Kpy that incidents like the Ferrari Hit and Run and other people being put at risk by Mad Friday japes are totally unacceptable. Everyone should feel and be perfectly safe going to the event. That being said, the type of incident that you mention would not in my opinion require the CRS. That being said, I was not aware of them being there every year anyway!

I do however find it upsetting that locals will avoid it as they see us as a group of "Drunken Hhordes of Brits" Whilst we enjoy a good drink while we are there and have lots of fun, I hope the majority of us (there is always a small exception) are well behaved and good mannered.

I for one am looking forward to a wonderful weekend of motor racing, funfairs, drinking, eating and commoraderie and I hope that it is incident free for us all!!

[Darren]

I agree with the above comments and would add that this is our 10th yr and so far no trouble whatsoever. Having said that we are usually to booze happy by late evening to venture too far from the camp site otherthan the fair and the heaviest socialising takes place back at the site.

last day in the office - everyone enjoy !

Darren

[NeilE]

Having lived in France for nearly 12 years my experience is that the French are quite a security minded nation which means that our hosts idea of normal security levels may seem a little over the top to us visitors. Having said that, considering the current global security situation any large gathering is likely to be more heavily policed than normal. Anyway, apart from a bunch of very loud Dutch technoheads on Beausejour last year, I've never experienced anything that would have coaxed the CRS out of their nice cool airconditioned vans.

Looking forward to a great weekend - we'll be in the pigs bladder Tshirts.

[Nobby Diesel]

All sentiments that I would agree with and echo.

The CRS are present every year. No question. They may be parked up, out of site or a little more high profile as per last year. I'm fairly certain this was due to the football and potential for trouble. As it was, the result was good for England. Had we been stuffed 3 nil, I'm not entirely sure that it would all have been rosy. There are always the minority remember.

To put it into context, can you honestly imagine any sensible event organiser objecting to the presence of a handful of CRS when there are 300,000 people in one place.

The Superbikes always have a few of the 'heavey mob' on hand, as do most concerts, demos, festivals and yes, even car races.

So what, I honestly doubt that any of the readers of this forum have fallen foul of the CRS?

Go and have fun. Just don't give them too much reason to dislike us.

[Matt Harper]

There were several instances in late '80's of British Jaguar 'fans' throwing rocks at Benzo's and Porsches as they entered the carparks - perhaps the French police are tooling-up against the threat, as Bentley have a huge brit following and a chance of winning this time around.
My feeling is that anyone who thinks that might be a bit of a laugh deserve everthing the CRS might care to dish out.

Right, I'm off to the airport. Hopefully the weather in France will be as good as it is here in central FL.
Have a safe trip - see you there.
Matt

[BryanC]

CRS - good advice given to me in the Paris student confrontation is that you don't ask these Bobbies if they have got the time; The normal reponse is to kick your head in ! Stay respectfully clear.

Bryan C.

[Bluebottle]

There were several instances in late '80's of British Jaguar 'fans' throwing rocks at Benzo's and Porsches as they entered the carparks - perhaps the French police are tooling-up against the threat, as Bentley have a huge brit following and a chance of winning this time around.
My feeling is that anyone who thinks that might be a bit of a laugh deserve everthing the CRS might care to dish out.

Well said Matt, the Ferrari incident marred Friday for the rest of time, but there were many smaller incidents such as the Mini driver who suffered a mirroe being wrenched off his car by an over-enthusiastic Brit- they were trying to lift the fron of the Mini so he could smoke the tyres. He was not amused, neither was I when I was given grief for not wheelspinnig my Granada!!

Have a good time but keep it clean!
(We're going to have lunch in the middle of the road after it's closed to traffic at Indianapolis...)

[Rhino]

What happened to the ferrari driver? He was in our campsite, tried to hide the car, but plod turned up and had words. The car was bought back and covered up  afterwards.

[BryanC]

What happened to the ferrari driver? He was in our campsite, tried to hide the car, but plod turned up and had words. The car was bought back and covered up  afterwards.

I don't know about him but my mate on the receiving end got it all sorted out thanks to good insurance, a hire car to come home in, some good witnesses ( also did you ever see the MPEG video circulated on the web - hows that for a witness statement ? ) and a helpful Bobbie who had a son at a British University and was keen to offer the 'entente cordiale'.

Sadly my mate and sons decided that Le Mans was not for them and did not return.

Bryan C

[Rhino]

Shame.

[jpchenet]

I personally did not see the Ferrari incident (or the mpeg on the web) but from what I have heard this is absolutely the type of behaviour that Le mans is definately NOT about and I hope the driver was suitably punished. BrianC, if possible please pass on my best wishes to your friends who I can only refer to as "victims" in this situation and tell them that I hope they will consider returning to Le Mans at some time, perhaps with our CA crowd next year?? It would be a huge travesty of justice for their enjoyment of this fantastic weekend to be taken away from them forever by a mindless idiot!!