Philippe Mahé: "Security throughout the department remains a priority"

A decrease in crime, a decline in local crime thanks to an increased presence on public streets. DECREASE IN CRIME IN CITIES "For the first time since 2021, overall crime has decreased by 1.5% across the entire Var, with over 1,000 fewer incidents in 2024 compared to 2023 (70,000 incidents). The resolution rate is maintained above 41% and had already increased by 10% last year, demonstrating the mobilization of internal security forces and effective investigation techniques that adapt to new forms of crime," explained Philippe Mahé, the préfet du Var.

During his address, he specified: "In the large cities of Var, general crime is experiencing an even greater decline. Thus, we record a 3% drop in Toulon, 2.8% in La Seyne-sur-Mer, 5.5% in Hyères, and 5.2% in Draguignan."

Thus, the strategy to combat burglaries launched in 2023, based on a joint approach between public streets and the investigation unit, allowing for the mapping of the most affected areas, has paid off over time. "In the same way, reinforcements in staffing and schedule changes for certain anti-crime brigades have increased the number of crews available and present on public streets. Furthermore, vehicle-related thefts recorded a drop of more than 4% in 2024 with fewer than 2,500 incidents across the entire Var," confirmed, for his part, the directeur interdépartemental de la police nationale.

MOBILIZED TEAMS The head of the police in Var added: "Local crime is defined as that which directly affects citizens in their daily lives and is visible on public streets (e.g., burglaries, pickpocketing, assault). It contributes, to a large extent, to the feeling of insecurity.

Reinforcing the presence of police and gendarmes on public streets is the most effective way to combat this crime. In 2024, this local crime recorded a drop of nearly 9%, representing about 100 fewer incidents compared to 2023, a year when local crime was already down by nearly 2% compared to 2022."

This decline is due to an increased presence of law enforcement on the ground, thanks to staff increases and an organization adapted to needs. Between 2021 and 2024, more than 100 additional police officers and gendarmes were posted to Var.

Furthermore, the number of assaults against individuals is down sharply, as explained once again by the state representative: "The presence of the Forces de la Sécurité Intérieure on public streets has significantly reduced the number of assaults against individuals (-20.6%), such as thefts with violence (21%). Overall, the year 2024 recorded a significant 6% decrease in property offenses, and the feeling of insecurity also recorded a drop of nearly 10% in 2024."

435 TRAFFICKERS ARRESTED The "Place nette" operations have extended to new areas, particularly as part of the fight against drug trafficking. Drug seizures and drug-related assets continue to rise in Var, with exceptional mobilization of the gendarmerie, police nationale, and douanes teams. Thus, 435 people were arrested for drug trafficking, representing a 25% increase compared to 2023 (348 people arrested).

3,397 amendes forfaitaires délictuelles were issued, representing a 15% increase compared to 2023, which had already seen a record increase (+34% compared to 2022).

On a daily basis, in the neighborhoods most affected by trafficking, there is a clear reduction in trafficking as well as the nuisances and risks weighing on the population. At La Beaucaire, Berthe, Pontcarral, Val des Rougières, La Visitation, and La Gabelle, the pressure from law enforcement and their presence prevents traffickers from resettling.

In 2024, the 6 "Place nette" operations were carried out in connection with the Procureur de la République with territorial jurisdiction as well as local elected officials. In addition to the neighborhoods of Sainte-Musse and Saint-Jean du Var in Toulon, Berthe in La Seyne-sur-Mer, and La Gabelle in Fréjus, two "Place nette" operations were organized in the gendarmerie zone in the municipalities of Brignoles, Le Luc-en-Provence, Vidauban, Les Arcs-sur-Argens, and Le Muy.

"The latter benefited from large-scale actions involving numerous state services because security throughout the department remains a priority," insisted Philippe Mahé.