France launches ‘social cleansing’ drive ahead of Olympics

FRANCE is trying to “hide poverty” ahead of the Paris Olympics, according to a new report that accuses it of “social cleansing”.

Authorities have resorted to clearing squares in Paris where homeless families congregate, according to Le Revers de la Medaille (The Other Side of the Coin), a collective that includes leading charities.

The report claims that evictions are on the increase, and there will be more in the run-up to July 26, the day the games begin.

The French capital is preparing to welcome crowds of high-spending spectators to the £4 billion-plus sporting showpiece.

Paul Alauzy, a spokesman for the collective, said that “things are spiralling out of control” as “expulsions and police interventions within future security perimeters” increase. These include the area around the Seine in central Paris, where an ambitious opening ceremony involving dozens of team barges will take place.

Last week, up to 150 people, including many children, were moved out of a makeshift camp by the Hôtel de Ville.

It overlooks the Seine and currently has a vast Olympic logo on its façade, along with other promotional material.

A charity worker who saw them being dispersed told The Telegraph: “They were forced on to coaches, and told they would be taken to Besançon for processing.” Many objected to being driven to the eastern city, more than 250 miles from Paris, even though they can access temporary accommodation there.

“There was widespread anger from the families involved, many of whom were from African countries.”