Videos that appear to show police officers removing goods from shops in the French city of Limoges have prompted questions and allegations of looting. The footage was filmed while violent incidents were taking place in the area during demonstrations. French authorities have categorically rejected the claims.
What the videos appear to show
The videos were reproduced by French media and circulated widely on social media.
In one of the clips, two police officers can be seen taking items from a Lacoste clothing shop on Rue du Clocher and placing them in the side cases of their service motorcycles.
According to information accompanying the footage, the incident took place on 17 October at around 8pm.
Fransız polisleri yağma yaparken görüntülendi Limoges şehrinde iki polis memuru LACOSTE MAĞAZASINDAN AYAKKABILARI ÇALDI https://t.co/lG26z1Rr3L
— Voice Of Levant (@VoiceOfLevant) October 19, 2026
In another video, officers appear to leave a different shop carrying large blue boxes. The images sparked online debate about why the officers removed the items.
Allegations of looting
The circulation of the footage led to allegations that officers had looted the shops. The French authorities have firmly denied these allegations.
‼️🔴‼️ C’est la crise pour tout le monde même pour la police 👌 ‼️Une autre vidéo ou on voit des policiers dérober des objets en toute impunité Hésitez pas à partager ——— #17octobre https://t.co/eQQSBW6Oae
— G E N E R A L 🇫🇷🔻 (@GeneralInsou) October 18, 2026
The police account
Following the publication of the videos, the French police issued a public response denying that officers had looted any shop.
According to the authorities, the items were not taken for personal gain. They say the items were collected on the orders of a judicial police officer.
According to the official account, the action was carried out as part of an investigation into an offence committed in flagrante delicto, with the aim of safeguarding and protecting the items.
The police also state that the goods were subsequently returned to the shop.
