Starting Wednesday, July 24, the Paris Olympics soccer games will be held in several cities in France. In the area covered by the Consulate General de Lyon, the men’s and women’s soccer matches will be held in Lyon (Groupama Stadium) and Saint-Etienne (Stade Geoffroy-Guichard).
Large crowds are expected during the games. Please be aware that places and facilities where large numbers of people congregate are vulnerable to terrorism and crime, so please pay attention to your surroundings and baggage, and if you notice any suspicious persons or situations, please leave the area immediately.
Safety Measures in the Event of a Crowd
In general, there is a risk of accidents such as knocking over chess players, and crimes such as pickpocketing and snatching tend to increase in areas where crowds are present. Please be very careful.
To prevent pickpockets, etc., carry your belongings (backpacks, handbags, etc.) in a way that they are held in front of you.
Be fully aware that places where large numbers of people gather are generally easy targets for terrorism, and pay attention to your surroundings and keep your stay as short as possible. If you see a suspicious person or situation, leave the area immediately.
If you hear an explosion or gunfire, get down immediately. Protect your head. Hide behind a sturdy object. Immediately leave the scene in a low position.
To prevent secondary damage such as injuries, try to remain calm even if people around you are in a state of panic.
General Crime Prevention
In Lyon, there have been many incidents of pickpocketing and purse-snatching, and several Japanese travelers have experienced theft of their passports, wallets, etc. since July. Pickpockets often work in groups of two or more people, and while one or more people are talking to each other to attract their attention, the others are stealing their luggage and other belongings. Please be careful with your belongings during your stay in Japan, and if you are approached by a stranger, hold on to your luggage and take extra precautions.
Please be aware that pickpockets and thieves are often found in the Pardieu and Perrache train stations. Some people may distract you by telling you that they want to know how to buy a ticket or that there is a cheaper way to buy a ticket, and then another person may commit the crime.
In tourist spots where foreign tourists gather, such as Boulevard de la République, Place Thérault, Place Bellecour, near Saint-Jean Church, and near Fulviere Church, there have been many cases of theft, snatching, and pickpocketing, as well as assaults by young people using drugs.
In the Pearl Dew Shopping Center, many young people gather, and pickpocketing and leaving behind are common. In some cases, pickpockets are caught in front of escalators, and while they are distracted, their companions pickpocket them.
In the Guillotiere area, illegal sales of cigarettes and drugs are rampant even during the daytime, and fights, pickpocketing, and assaults are common. If you are approached to sell cigarettes or other drugs, please ignore the offer and walk past.
Pickpockets are common on streetcars, subways, and other public transportation, so please keep an eye on your baggage. Some pickpockets may be attracted by small children or women, or by pretending to ask for help.
●Please do not leave your baggage unattended at hotels, cafes, and restaurants, as there have been cases of baggage left behind for seating purposes. In addition, there have been cases of thefts at hotels due to inadequately locked rooms, so please make sure that the door to your room is closed before leaving.
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