French police say they are using social media to identify and arrest people linked to last weekend’s looting and unrest. Investigators scrutinise online videos and other posts, alongside footage from thousands of security cameras, to track suspects and compile evidence tied to violence and damaged shops.

Across coverage, the emphasis is on how social platforms feed into follow-up investigative work. One outlet describes officers running digital searches to compare crimes shown online with cases under study, and using additional camera networks—including street and transport-system cameras—to narrow down individuals. Another describes the broader crackdown, noting that the government has pledged to hold those responsible accountable.

While most accounts centre on the same method—social media reviewed in conjunction with camera evidence—details about specific operational settings and named examples vary by outlet. Some provide a more vivid description of a specialist unit and the use of screen-based analysis, while others keep the focus on the overall police strategy and the government’s response.