Necklace snatch thefts: resurgence in France

In late October 2026 in Toulouse, three necklace snatch theft suspects were arrested after an altercation with police, and a man was beaten and robbed of his jewelry a few hours later. On November 2, an elderly woman using a cane was attacked in Hendaye by three men who snatched her necklace. On November 3, two men arrested after a necklace snatch in the Toulouse metro appeared before the criminal court, while a 93-year-old Toulouse woman assaulted in the Guilheméry neighborhood testified. Authorities have noted an increase in necklace snatch thefts in France, particularly in Marseille, with gold jewelry sought after due to the metal's market price. On November 10, a metropolitan elected official was a victim of a snatch theft in Lyon and denounced the lack of security in her neighborhood.