Multiple Nativity displays in Solliès‑Ville were stolen or vandalised, prompting concerns among residents and volunteers who maintain the Christian installations.
Authorities and residents in Solliès‑Ville, a village in the Var department, reported repeated thefts and damage to outdoor Christmas nativity scenes that had been installed throughout the town.
Jean‑Yves Beckerich, president of the association Soleu Fêtes et Traditions, discovered that an entire Antillean‑style crèche had been removed from a stone ledge, stating that “the thieves came with bolt cutters… it was premeditated.”
According to Beckerich, nearly twenty installations had been stolen and about ten damaged the previous year, including one from which “the little Jesus” had been taken away. Volunteers were especially saddened as they had spent weeks constructing the scenes to share with the community. Some displays were later placed behind window bars to limit further damage while remaining accessible to visitors.
Source and photo (video screenshot): cnews