In the often lively debate about security in Lyon, the numbers sometimes shed interesting light. According to data published by the Ministry of the Interior Security in its national report for 2025, the 4th arrondissement stands out as one of the safest neighborhoods in the city, as noted by 20 Minutes.
The statistics on violent crimes speak for themselves. In 2024, only 27 incidents were recorded in this emblematic arrondissement of the slopes and the plateau of Lyon.
Cross-Rousse. For comparison, the 7th arrondissement records 413 incidents, the 3rd has 384, and the 1st hits 239 incidents. In the ranking of the most preserved areas, the 4th is followed by the 9th arrondissement with 81 incidents and the 5th arrondissement with 77. In other words, on the map of safety in Lyon, Croix-Rousse stands out as a good student.Voir cette publication sur Instagram
Low Numbers... Without Any Surveillance Cameras
The data goes beyond just violent crimes. In the 4th district of Lyon, 107 cases of assault and battery were reported in 2024. That's a relatively low figure, especially when compared to some more central areas of the city. Here, the rate of destruction and vandalism is also the lowest in the municipality, with 6 incidents for every 1,000 residents. However, there's one exception: vehicle thefts, where the 4th place doesn't take the top spot. The 5th and 1st districts reported 127 and 198 incidents, respectively, compared to 130 for the 4th. Overall, these indicators reaffirm the image of a neighborhood where the quality of life remains particularly high.
This is where the topic really gets interesting.
really interesting: the 4th arrondissement is also the only area in Lyon without fixed cameras. A detail that surprises in a city that presents itself as the second best-equipped in France, right after Nice, with about 12.7 cameras per km². This absence has recently resurfaced in local political debates, especially when businessman and mayoral candidate Jean-Michel Aulas questioned the mayor of Lyon, Grégory Doucet, on the topic during a debate. The response was straightforward: yes, there are no cameras in this arrondissement.Voir cette publication sur Instagram
A security that primarily relies on human presence
When asked about this choice, the mayor of the 4th district, Rémi Zinck, explains that the effectiveness of video surveillance is still debatable. According to several analyses quoted by the elected official, only 2% of crimes would be solved thanks to cameras. The favored strategy relies more on human presence: municipal and national police on the streets, active community associations, dynamic sports clubs, and a very strong neighborhood life.
In an area like Croix-Rousse, where residents know each other and local shops are abundant, this proximity could play a role in ensuring safety.
The 4th district is still a textbook case in Lyon: a neighborhood known for being safe… without cameras. An urban paradox that continues to spark discussions in the capital of the Gauls.
Source: 20 Minutes