72% of French say crime is out of control, poll finds
A new CSA poll shows 72 percent of French citizens believe crime has spiraled out of control, with concern strongest among right-wing voters and older citizens.
The CSA survey, conducted for CNews, Europe 1, and Le JDD and reported by Valeurs Actuelles, found that 72 percent of French respondents consider crime to be out of control in France today. The perception cuts across political lines, though with notable variations in intensity.
Drug trafficking, refusal to comply with police orders, street assaults, gang violence, and concerns about disorder around major sporting events have combined to fuel a growing sense that the French state is struggling to maintain order and security.
Right-Wing Voters Express Strongest Concern
The perception of runaway crime is most pronounced among conservative voters. Among supporters of Les Républicains, a striking 92 percent believe crime has escaped state control. The figure stands at 83 percent among those aligned with Rassemblement National and Reconquête.
Even among backers of the presidential majority, traditionally more supportive of government performance, 61 percent share the view that delinquency has slipped beyond official control.
Left-Wing Voters More Divided, But Still Concerned
While the sentiment is less overwhelming on the left, it remains a majority position. Overall, 55 percent of left-wing sympathizers agree that crime is out of control in France.
Breaking down the numbers further, 58 percent of La France Insoumise supporters share this assessment, compared to 51 percent of Socialist Party sympathizers and 45 percent of Green voters.
Green Party supporters emerge as the least likely to believe the situation has escaped state control, while all families of the political right express a far sharper and more unified diagnosis, underscoring the centrality of security concerns within their electorates.
Women and Older Citizens Most Alarmed
The polling data also reveals demographic fault lines. Women are significantly more likely than men to view crime as beyond control, with 76 percent expressing this belief compared to 69 percent of men. The gap may reflect heightened exposure to certain forms of violence, including sexual assault.
Age is another dividing factor. Among respondents aged 50 and over, 76 percent believe delinquency is out of control, compared to 71 percent of those aged 25 to 44 and just 55 percent of those aged 18 to 24.
Social class, however, appears to play a smaller role. The perception is shared by 70 percent of upper socio-professional categories, 74 percent of lower categories, and 73 percent of those not in the workforce.
A National Reckoning on Law and Order
The findings paint a picture of a French public increasingly doubtful of the state’s ability to ensure public safety. Across gender, age, and political affiliation, a clear majority now sees crime as a problem slipping beyond institutional control.
The poll underscores the degree to which security has become a defining issue in French political life, with implications for upcoming elections and policy debates. The numbers suggest that restoring confidence in law and order will be a central challenge for any future government.
With information from Valeurs Actuelles
