Audit criticises Sarkozy on law and order

France’s national audit office, Cour des Comptes, delivered a blow to President Nicolas Sarkozy’s record on law and order in July 2011, casting doubt on government statistics showing a decrease in crime and condemning the management of the country’s police forces.

The report came as Mr Sarkozy faced a challenging presidential election in 2012, which could depend on his ability to win support across a broad spectrum of voters from the far right to the centre, as he did in 2007. In a bid to stem an exodus of conservative voters to the extreme right National Front, Mr Sarkozy launched in 2011 a tough crackdown on immigration and crime.