<P> In August 2012 the French Government announced the creation of fifteen Priority Security Zones (PSZ) in an effort to target crime hotspots . Extra police, riot police, detectives and members of the intelligence services are to be mobilised . Social services, educational bodies and charities also put extra resources into the selected areas . </P> <P> The Neuhof area of Strasbourg was selected because of a need to tackle violent crime, and the historic rural town of Chambly to the north of Paris is being focused on because of rising burglary rates and car theft . The northern quarter of Amiens in the Somme region and areas of Seine - Saint - Denis to the north of Paris, which witnessed fierce rioting in 2005, are priority zones because of widespread drug dealing and a rampant black market . </P> <P> Violent crime is relatively uncommon in the city center . Pickpockets are the most significant problem and are commonly children under the age of 16 because they are difficult to prosecute . Pickpockets are very active on the rail link from Charles de Gaulle Airport to the city center . </P> <P> The Paris Police Prefecture publishes a pamphlet entitled "Paris in Complete Safety" that provides practical advice and useful telephone numbers for visitors.In an emergency, dialing 17 will connect the caller to the police . You can also dial the Europe - wide emergency response number 112 to reach an operator for all kinds of emergency services (similar to the U.S. and Canadian 911 system). Non-French speakers may experience a delay while an English speaker is located . </P>

Is there a lot of crime in france