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Crime Traveller was a BBC science-fiction drama first broadcast in 1997. It followed the adventures of Detective Jeff Slade ( Michael French ) and Scientific Officer Holly Turner ( Chloë Annett ) as they use a make shift time machine to help solve crimes.

Written by Anthony Horowitz ( Midsomer Murders , Alex Rider , Pirot , Foyle's war ) it only lasted one season of eight episodes.

This website is a labour of love by a fan of time travel in it's many forms who would have dearly loved a second series.

Crime Traveller

• Michael French as Det. Jeff Slade
• Chloë Annett as Holly Turner
• Sue Johnston as Det. Chief Insp. Kate Grisham
• Richard Dempsey as Nicky Robson

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Crime Traveller – TV series

a review by Nalini Haynes

Crime Traveller  is a time travelling detective TV series from the BBC in Britain starring Chloe Annett (Kochanski from  Red Dwarf ) and Michael French ( East Enders  and  Casualty ).

The basic premise is that Holly Turner (Annett) is a science officer for the police.  Holly’s father invented time travel then disappeared.  Holly is trying to develop time travel further, but maintaining the machine is consuming all her income.  That is, all her income not spent on accommodation, nice clothes, make-up, car, taxis…  Jeff Slade (French) is supposed to be a charming detective who needs some help solving a crime.  Holly revealed her secret time travel machine to Slade and started helping him solve crime at great personal expense, without financial assistance from Slade although he knows that time travel is expensive.  There is a ‘crime of the week’ that, in order to be solved easily, necessitates Slade and Turner travelling back in time to witness events so they can catch the bad guy or guys.

Many TV series with simple premises successfully use sexual tension and character work to engage viewers.   Crime Traveller hints at and almost achieves sexual tension in some episodes only to fall flat, the tension disappearing into the cracks of later episodes where Slade’s entirely selfish, manipulative and deceitful character is exposed in all its seedy glory.  I’m not sure how much this was due to acting and how much was due to the dialogue and directing.

Probably the characters who annoy me most are Holly Turner and Jeff Slade.  Holly is her father’s daughter, living in the shadow of her father’s work.  Although she’s a respected scientist both within the police force and in broader scientific circles, viewers are constantly reminded that it’s not her work that gets the credit.  It’s  her father’s  invention,  her father’s  research into time travel – even though Holly has made huge sacrifices to further this work, this is discounted in favour of male privilege.  Worse still, Holly acts as Slade’s side-kick by enabling the time travel to solve crimes, never taking any credit even for honest detective work.  Slade is content with this situation, never giving Holly any credit.  The most he’s ever done in return is give Holly a meal and somewhere to stay when she’s needed it, which doesn’t balance out the hospitality she’s given him previously.

While there is a reasonable ensemble cast, the majority of characters are under-utilised, remaining two-dimensional caricatures serving only as back-drops for Slade and Turner.  Take Detective Morris, for example.  Paul Trussell was clearly cast for his overhanging eyebrows and deep-set eyes that, along with studied facial expressions, slow responses and stilted dialogue, create a stereotypical slightly evil comic relief.  Although he’s a police officer and is apparently not actually bent, Morris seems antagonistic towards our hero – Jeff Slade – so he is, inherently, evil.  The reason for this antagonism isn’t quite clear: perhaps professional rivalry plays a part, although it doesn’t account for the level of malice in some episodes.

Detective Inspector Kate Grisham (Sue Johnston) is the team’s boss.  At first she seems to have it in for Slade.  About to fire Slade for bad attitude and worse performance, Grisham inexplicably cuts him slack.  Later in the series Grisham starts worrying about Slade’s unlikely success rate in solving crimes, so she entrusts Morris with an investigation of his colleague.  While I would assume that a woman who had climbed to a managerial position in the police force would be reasonably intelligent and dynamic, Grisham is cast as comically stupid at times, while being portrayed fairly consistently as less than competent.

In contrast to Grisham and Morris, Nicky Robson (Richard Dempsey – Peter from the BBC series The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe ) is a try-hard and intelligent trainee whose intelligence is never undermined.

Each of these secondary characters is under-utilised and under-developed.  It’s also interesting to note that Grisham and Morris have exchanges together in isolation from the other characters but otherwise the characters tended to relate to Slade and Turner but not to each other.

In order to distract the viewer from the improbable pairing of Turner and Slade, Crime Traveller needs sub-plots.  Each episode there is one main plot but, while there might be a few intricacies in that plot, there isn’t a secondary story to counter-point the main thread.  The intricacies include spotting the witness statement that reports seeing Slade and/or Turner, which becomes quite predictable towards the end of the series, largely because these sightings are repeated so many times, just in case you miss them the first time or two.

I’m not sure if the series became tired or if I just tired of the series, but by episode six I was consciously listening to the rhythm of the dialogue.  There were two bloodstains at the scene of the crime, both were checked by the science officer (Holly) who confirmed two different blood types.  Pause. Comment a few times about this – there were five people in the room so let’s see how long we can stretch that out for. Pause. Try-hard trainee says maybe one bloodstain is from the killer.  No shit, Sherlock?  No-one even slapped him down for stating the obvious.  Pause. Morris pulls out a tape deck to replay an emergency call (that he just happens to have obtained before coming to the scene of the crime but hasn’t shared with anyone yet).  When Morris says it’s a recording, Slade slaps him down for stating the obvious, but even this bit of banter is too slow, like a tape stretched to breaking point.

The silliness of the plot devolved from there, with Morris so distracted by a garbage bin lid rolling on the ground that he got out of the car and looked in the opposite direction so Slade could enter a building.

Crime Traveller tries to be intelligent in engaging with the paradox of time travel, with Turner and Slade discussing paradoxes.  In the first episode Slade travells back in time and places a bet; when he returns to his time, the betting slip is blank.  Holly said that’s because he couldn’t cause a paradox by taking information back in time to change the past, however Holly travells back in time and changed the past in other episodes.  When they discuss this, Holly’s excuse is that it had already happened, therefore she wasn’t changing the past – fail.  Worse still was the basic premise of the time machine.  They travell back in time but can’t look themselves in the eye without causing a catastrophe (how would Holly know this?)  At the end of each time travel jaunt, they also have to return to the time machine just before they left so they won’t get lost in time.  Returning to the point before they left is intended to be humorous as each time they meet Holly’s caretaker who has only just seen them, but they never meet themselves.  Even though they are in the room with the time machine at the same time before and after their time travel jaunt .   Hello ?

I think I caught a few episodes of Crime Traveller back in the 1990s when it was on TV; back then it was B grade sci fi.  Even the weaker episodes of  Deep Space 9, Babylon 5 and Stargate SG1 all leave Crime Traveller for dust, but Crime Traveller was – and remains – a fix for the SF-deprived.  Personally I think I’d rewatch all of the above, Angel, Buffy, Dark Angel, Farscape and a number of other series before I’d be sufficiently desperate to watch  Crime Traveller again.

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Crime Traveller

by Dylan Feb 23, 2023

Crime dramas are a dime a dozen, but have you ever heard of a science fiction detective series that uses time travel to solve crimes? Look no further than 'Crime Traveller,' a short-lived but intriguing show produced by Carnival Films for BBC One in 1997.

Created by Anthony Horowitz, who also wrote every episode, the series follows the adventures of detective Jeff Slade (played by Michael French) and scientist Holly Turner (played by Chloë Annett), who use a time machine called the "Quantum Leap Accelerator" to travel back in time and solve crimes. The pair encounters a variety of obstacles along the way, including historical inaccuracies, ethical dilemmas, and personal conflicts.

Despite its innovative premise and loyal fanbase, 'Crime Traveller' was not renewed after its first series, which consisted of eight episodes. Horowitz has since revealed that the show's cancellation was due to internal conflicts at the BBC, rather than any lack of interest from viewers or critical acclaim. As he put it, "There was a chasm at the BBC, created by the arrival of a new Head of Drama and our run ended at that time. There was no-one around to commission a new series...and so it just didn't happen."

One of the most notable aspects of 'Crime Traveller' is its blending of genres. On the one hand, it is a crime drama, with the usual tropes of investigation, suspense, and resolution. On the other hand, it is a science fiction show, with the fantastical element of time travel and its attendant implications. The result is a unique viewing experience that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats while also challenging their assumptions about what is possible.

Another key feature of the series is its attention to detail. Horowitz and his team did their research, ensuring that the historical periods depicted in each episode were accurate and immersive. This required not only careful scripting, but also careful production design, costuming, and casting. The result is a world that feels authentic and lived-in, even as it is being visited by characters from the future.

Perhaps the most striking thing about 'Crime Traveller' is its potential. With only one series to its name, the show barely scratched the surface of what it could have accomplished. There are endless possibilities for new adventures, new settings, and new mysteries to be solved. Sadly, we will never know what might have been, but we can still appreciate the legacy of this singular and imaginative show.

Crime Traveller is a British television series that premiered in 1997, featuring a unique premise that blends crime drama with science fiction. The plot follows Jeff Slade, a detective in the Criminal Investigation Department, who is known for his unorthodox approach to solving crimes. Armed with a handgun, Slade is not afraid to bend the rules to get results, often leading him into trouble.

However, Slade's fortunes change when he discovers a secret held by his colleague, Holly Turner, a science officer who owns a time machine built by her late father. With the help of this incredible invention, Slade and Holly can travel back in time to witness crimes as they happen, giving them a unique advantage in solving cases.

As they embark on their time-traveling adventures, Slade and Holly become an unstoppable team, with Slade's maverick approach complemented by Holly's scientific expertise. They are able to solve cases at an unprecedented rate, with one success after another boosting Slade's reputation as a detective.

But as they delve deeper into the mysteries of time travel, they encounter new challenges and dangers that test the limits of their abilities. The series explores the implications of time travel on crime-solving, as well as the moral and ethical questions raised by such a powerful technology.

Overall, Crime Traveller is an exciting and innovative series that combines the best of crime drama and science fiction, featuring a unique premise and engaging characters.

In the world of crime, there are detectives who stick to the rules and those who throw caution to the wind. Jeff Slade is definitely the latter. He's the type of detective who goes with his gut feeling and doesn't always rely on cold hard facts to solve a case. This approach may not sit well with his superiors, but it usually results in an arrest. Despite his unorthodox methods, Slade takes his job very seriously, following in the footsteps of his father Jack, a respected detective who was falsely accused of theft and imprisoned.

Slade is a bit of an enigma. He was once married, but very little is known about his past. He tends to keep to himself and doesn't socialize much with his colleagues, except for science officer Holly Turner. The two have always been friendly, but it's only after Holly reveals her secret that they become much closer. Holly is the daughter of Professor Frederick Turner, a physicist who specialized in time travel. After her father's disappearance, Holly continued his work and maintained his time machine.

The machine is the key to Slade and Holly's crime-solving prowess. It allows them to travel back in time and witness crimes as they happen, giving them an edge in their investigations. Slade and Holly's use of the machine has brought them closer both personally and professionally, and they make a great team. While it's clear that Slade is attracted to Holly, it's uncertain whether their relationship will progress beyond a professional one. Holly, for her part, keeps her distance from Slade, possibly due to her fear that he's only interested in her because of the machine.

Despite the intrigue surrounding Slade and Holly's relationship, it's their unconventional approach to crime-solving that makes them a formidable team. Slade's instincts, combined with Holly's knowledge of time travel, make for a potent combination. Together, they've solved several cases, including the one that cleared Slade's father's name.

In the world of crime, there are detectives who play by the book and those who make their own rules. Jeff Slade and Holly Turner are definitely the latter. They may be unconventional, but they get results, and that's what really counts.

Crime Traveller, a British science fiction television series, features a talented cast of actors who bring their characters to life in a thrilling and humorous way. From the unconventional detective to the brilliant forensic scientist, each member of the cast adds their unique personality to the show.

Michael French stars as DI Jeff Slade, a maverick detective who relies on his instincts to solve cases, even if it means going against the rules. Slade's dedication to his job is unwavering, despite his rebellious attitude and constant clashes with his boss, DCI Kate Grisham, played by Sue Johnston. Grisham is constantly irritable with Slade's unorthodox methods, but deep down, she knows that he has a knack for solving the toughest cases.

Chloë Annett plays the role of Holly Turner, a brilliant forensic scientist who keeps her father's time machine in her apartment. Holly's father, a physicist, developed the time machine, and after his disappearance, Holly takes over the upkeep of the device. Annett portrays Holly's cautious and secretive nature as she struggles to maintain the machine's secrecy and her job at the CID. Holly's work brings her into contact with Slade, and the two become close friends as they explore the possibilities of time travel.

Paul Trussell portrays DS Morris, Slade's slow-witted colleague, who often takes credit for his partner's successful investigations. Meanwhile, Richard Dempsey plays the role of DC Nicky Robson, a trainee detective who is intelligent and helpful but also a bit naive. Danny, the caretaker at Holly's apartment block, played by Bob Goody, provides a comedic element to the show as he deals with the power outages caused by Holly and Slade's use of the time machine.

Each member of the cast brings a unique personality to Crime Traveller, making the show a fun and entertaining watch. From Slade's unconventional methods to Holly's dedication to her father's work and Morris's bumbling nature, the characters are an essential part of the show's charm. Their interactions with one another create a dynamic that keeps viewers engaged, even as they try to solve the mysteries that arise from time travel.

Imagine having a time machine to travel through time and solve crimes? Sounds intriguing, doesn't it? "Crime Traveller," a British sci-fi crime television series, brings this idea to life. This show, written by Anthony Horowitz, was first aired in 1997 and lasted for only one season. Let's take a look at the episodes and their plots that make this series so compelling.

Episode 1: Jeff Slade and the Loop of Infinity

The first episode sets the scene for the series. Jeff Slade, a detective with the London Metropolitan Police, is in trouble with his boss after a stakeout goes wrong. However, his partner, Holly Turner, has a secret plan to help him out, involving a time machine. This episode introduces us to the concept of time travel and the machine that helps Jeff and Holly to solve crimes.

Episode 2: Death in the Family

The second episode takes us to a five-star restaurant where Holly's Aunt Mary is poisoned. Jeff and Holly travel back in time to find the murderer, but Holly discovers that her relatives aren't the people who she originally thought they were. Things take an unexpected turn when she is arrested for the crime herself.

Episode 3: Fashion Shoot

The third episode revolves around top fashion designer Sonia Duvall, who receives death threats. The entire division is assigned to guard her at the forthcoming fashion show, but their efforts fail, and she is shot on the catwalk. Jeff and Holly soon discover all is not what it seems and investigate further.

Episode 4: The Revenge of the Chronology Protection Hypothesis

In this episode, Holly sees a news report telling her that Jeff has been shot. She travels back in time to try and prevent the shooting but discovers that her own actions may have caused the shooting in the first place. Holly goes on a seemingly hopeless quest to save Jeff, putting her beliefs to the test.

Episode 5: Sins of the Father

Jeff is framed for stealing diamonds, and it's suspiciously similar to a similar incident that happened to his father, Jack, nearly five years ago. With the help of Holly, will he be able to prove that both Jack and himself are innocent? This episode uncovers secrets from their past that come back to haunt them.

Episode 6: Death Minister

When Grisham becomes suspicious of Jeff's success rate in solving crimes, Holly warns him that they have been using the machine too much. But when an MP is killed, they can't resist taking a look. Temptation proves too much for Jeff, and he later uses the machine without Holly's knowledge.

Episode 7: The Lottery Experiment

In the final episode, Jeff hatches a plan to win the lottery to apologise for using the machine without asking. He goes back in time to find the winning numbers, but he ends up discovering that putting right what once went wrong may not be so simple.

Each episode of Crime Traveller is unique and intriguing. From solving a murder to stealing diamonds, this series takes us on a thrilling ride through time. The time machine, which takes Jeff and Holly back in time to solve crimes, adds a sci-fi element to the show that sets it apart from other crime dramas. It leaves the audience on the edge of their seats, wondering what twists and turns will come next. While the show was short-lived, it still has a place in the hearts of sci-fi and crime enthusiasts.

Have you ever wished you could travel through time and solve crimes before they even happened? That's exactly what Crime Traveller, the British sci-fi crime drama, offered its viewers in the late 90s. And now, thanks to Revelation Films, you can revisit the entire series in the comfort of your own home.

Released on DVD on 21 June 2004, the Crime Traveller box set allows you to immerse yourself in the world of Jeff Slade and Holly Turner, two time-travelling detectives who use a machine called the "Time Machine" to solve crimes and prevent disasters. With each episode taking you on a thrilling journey to a different era, from the 1920s to the 2050s, Crime Traveller is a rollercoaster ride through time that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

But the DVD set is not just about rewatching the series. It also offers exclusive bonus features that allow you to delve deeper into the world of Crime Traveller. You'll get to hear from Anthony Horowitz, the show's writer and creator, in an exclusive interview where he reveals the inspiration behind the series and the challenges of writing a time-traveling crime drama.

Additionally, the box set comes with cast and crew biographies, so you can learn more about the talented actors and production team behind the show. And if you need a refresher on a particular episode, the DVD set also includes episode synopses to help you keep track of the intricate plotlines and twists.

Last but not least, the Crime Traveller DVD set also includes the original production trailer, giving you a glimpse into the creative process behind the making of the show. With all these bonus features, the DVD set is the ultimate Crime Traveller fan's dream come true.

So, why not grab a bowl of popcorn, settle in, and let Crime Traveller take you on a wild ride through time? With its gripping storylines, lovable characters, and mind-bending time-traveling elements, this series is a must-watch for any fan of crime dramas or science fiction. And with the DVD set, you can relive all the excitement and adventure whenever you want.

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Crime Traveller (1997)

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U.S. tourist faces 12 years in prison after taking ammunition to Turks and Caicos

An Oklahoma man faces up to 12 years in prison on a Caribbean island after customs officials found ammunition in his luggage.

Ryan Watson traveled to Turks and Caicos with his wife, Valerie, to celebrate his 40th birthday on April 7. They went with two friends who had also turned 40.

The vacation came to an abrupt end when airport staff members found a zip-close bag containing bullets in the couple's carry-on luggage. Watson said it was hunting ammunition he had accidentally brought with him — but under a strict law in Turks and Caicos, a court may still impose a mandatory 12-year sentence.

"They were hunting ammunition rounds that I use for whitetail deer," Watson told NBC Boston in an interview conducted last week that aired after their first court appearance Tuesday.

"I recognized them, and I thought, 'Oh, man, what a bonehead mistake that I had no idea that those were in there,'" he said.

The couple were arrested and charged with possession of ammunition. Authorities seized their passports and explained the penalties they faced.

Valerie Watson said in the interview: "When I heard that, I immediately was terrified, because I was like we can't both be in prison for 12 years. We have kids at home, and this is such an innocent mistake."

The charges against her were dropped, and she returned home to Oklahoma City on Tuesday after the court hearing to be reunited with her two young children.

"Our goal is to get Ryan home, because we can’t be a family without Dad," she said.

The couple also spoke about the financial burden of a much longer-than-planned trip. "This is something that we may never recover from," Ryan Watson said.

The U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas issued a warning to travelers in September about a law that strongly prohibits possession of firearms or ammunition in Turks and Caicos, an overseas British territory southeast of the Bahamas that is a popular vacation spot.

It said: "We wish to remind all travelers that declaring a weapon in your luggage with an airline carrier does not grant permission to bring the weapon into TCI [Turks and Caicos Islands] and will result in your arrest."

The embassy added: "If you bring a firearm or ammunition into TCI, we will not be able to secure your release from custody."

The embassy and the government in Turks and Caicos did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The same thing happened to another American, Bryan Hagerich, of Pennsylvania, who was arrested after ammunition was found in his luggage before he tried to board a flight out of Turks and Caicos in February. He said he accidentally left it in his bag.

Hagerich was on a family vacation with his wife and two young children but has now been in the country for 70 days. He spent eight days in prison before he posted bail.

"It’s incredibly scary. You know, you just don’t know what the next day may bring — you know, what path this may take," Hagerich told NBC Boston.

"You know, it’s certainly a lot different than packing your bags and going away with your family for a few days. It’s been the worst 70 days of my life," he said.

Hagerich, once a professional baseball player, was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the MLB 2007 June amateur draft from the University of Delaware.

His case goes to trial May 3.

Patrick Smith is a London-based editor and reporter for NBC News Digital.

Street crime crackdown packs Paris-area prison ahead of Olympics

A police crackdown that aims to clear a poor suburb of petty crime and street vendors before the Paris 2024 Olympics is putting pressure on an overcrowded prison operating at almost double its capacity.

Issued on: 26/04/2024 - 10:45

Villepinte is a grey, concrete detention centre in the suburb of Seine-Saint Denis . It lies 2.5 km from the Paris Arena Nord, set to host boxing and fencing competitions during the Games beginning on July 26.

It is among the most crowded prisons in France. Opened in 1991, Villepinte takes prisoners from the busy Bobigny courthouse nearby for pre-trial detention and short sentences.

"The penitentiary authority needs to prepare for the worst," Eric Mathais, chief prosecutor at Bobigny, said in an interview.

Reducing inmate numbers ahead of the Olympics is unrealistic, Mathais said.

"We need to limit the number of people being imprisoned, but this is easier said than done as I am under extreme pressure from everyone to be clearly more repressive."

Reuters interviewed thirteen prosecutors, judges, lawyers and clerks working in Bobigny court, who said that the Seine-Saint-Denis justice system was operating at the limits of its capacity and prosecuting increasingly minor infractions in preparation for the Games.

Read more Paris Olympics 2024: A game changer for Seine-Saint-Denis?

As of April 8, when Reuters visited Villepinte with local senator Corinne Narassiguin, there were 1,048 inmates for 582 places at the prison, according to director Pascal Spenle. The penitentiary cannot technically handle many more, Spenle said.

Reuters spoke to four inmates who described spending most of their days inside their cells, with up to three prisoners in cells designed for one, sharing a toilet and showering every other day. At least 17 prisoners were sleeping on mattresses on the floor, prison authorities said.

Yanis, a 20-year-old inmate, said he’d been on a waiting list for months for a prison work programme. One of his two cellmates, Adil, 25, said he had not met a reintegration councillor during seven months inside.

Prison doctor Ludovic Levasseur said he’d seen demand for mental health care rise in recent years while overcrowding meant long waiting lists for psychologists handling up to 60 patients each.

To avoid reaching breaking point, judges at Bobigny courthouse almost doubled the number of early releases from Villepinte and another prison last year, to nearly 500.

Still, Villepinte was operating at 180% of capacity in early April, from 177% in April last year and 168% the year before, data from the prison and Ministry of Justice shows.

Ahead of an expected surge in the Olympics build up, Spenle said, Villepinte plans to transfer inmates to other prisons, freeing up 220 places. In the longer term the prison will get a new wing, he said.

In a letter to French prosecutors dated 15 January, Justice Minister  Éric Dupond-Moretti called for "fast, strong and systematic responses" to infractions that may disrupt the Games.

Spokesperson Cedric Logelin said the ministry was taking measures to reduce overcrowding and prevent crime during the Games. He said court decisions were independent.

'Short-term solutions'

Many of the Olympic events are being held in Seine-Saint-Denis. The region has the highest ratio of immigrants among France’s departments and is also the poorest.

Teachers have been on strike since February, saying schools in the area are under-resourced. Homeless and traveller populations have set up camps and squats in the department.

In some neighbourhoods, informal sellers line the streets.

Mohamed Gnabaly, mayor of Ile Saint Denis, a town in the area, said the Olympics had helped infrastructure and housing development delayed for years due to lack of investment.

However, Olivier Cahn, a sociologist at CESDIP, a French centre for research on law and prisons, said a reliance on policing and tough sentencing was disproportionately affecting the poor, migrant and homeless populations.

"All we have are short-term solutions," said Cahn.

A zero-tolerance policing initiative launched last year that targets street crimes such as drug dealing and unlicensed selling in the area was adding to the prison population, prosecutor Mathais said.

Police deployed 4,000 extra officers in March and April, Seine-Saint-Denis police director of local security Michel Lavaud told reporters last week, calling it a clean up and saying the operation provided safety for locals and "tourists, audiences, the families of the athletes."

"It is just the beginning, we are going to increase the intensity" ahead of the Games, Lavaud said.

The crackdown drew criticism from seven legal professionals Reuters spoke to.

Fouad Qnia, a defence lawyer at Bobigny, said heavy penalties for infractions such as unlicensed street selling were disproportionate and could further marginalise people in already vulnerable situations.

Cigarette sellers

The recent policing operation targeted street vendors, police chief Lavaud said, including nearly 200 illegal cigarette sellers, some of whom were imprisoned and more than half of whom were handed deportation orders.

In one case, on April 3, a Bobigny judge ordered an Algerian man who moved to France two years ago to refrain from entering Seine-Saint-Denis for six months, including for the duration of the Games, after he was convicted of selling eight packets of cigarettes on the street.

He had previously been handed a suspended prison sentence and will face two months in jail, likely in Villepinte, if he is caught again in Seine-Saint-Denis or selling tobacco, assigned defence lawyer Jade Paya said, declining to name the man.

"They are in need. They don’t sell cigarettes because they like doing it," she said.

Villepinte houses more than thirty nationalities, deputy director David Langelois said. He said the number of foreign inmates was high due to detentions at the nearby Charles de Gaulle airport and the demographic makeup of Seine-Saint-Denis.

Foreigners were 21% of France’s prison population in 2020, whereas they were just 10% of the general population, according to national statistics. France does not keep ethnic statistics, but some sociological studies attest to an over-representation of Black and Arab men in prisons.

Senator Narassiguin said people of colour faced heavier policing and harsh penalties for petty street crime. Ministry of Justice spokesperson Logelin said court sentences were based on individual cases. He declined to comment on the ratio of foreign prisoners.

Brimming prisons

France has the most overcrowded prisons in Europe after Romania and Cyprus , with its prison population growing faster in 2022 than anywhere in the bloc other than Slovenia , data from the Council of Europe shows.

Read more France’s overcrowded prison population reaches all-time high – for months on end

Nationally, French prisons have never been fuller, Ministry of Justice data shows.

The Council of Europe expressed “deep concern” last month at the worsening overcrowding.

To deal with the caseload it expects during the games, the Bobigny court is preparing to pile on fast-track trials, which the International Prison Observatory (OIP) says are eight times more likely to end in a prison sentence than standard trials.

The use of fast-track procedures has gradually risen in recent years, justice ministry data shows, and has helped drive France’s prison overcrowding, said OIP researcher Johann Bihr.

The limited access to activities and support inside prisons because of overcrowding complicates reintegration into society, said charity Emergence 93, which works with former detainees.

Adding to the strain, during the Olympics, two car washes run by Emergence 93 that employ former prisoners in Seine-Saint-Denis will be forced to close. One car wash is in a shopping mall car park closed during the Games, the other on a site rented to the Japanese delegation.

Emergence 93 social worker Manuel Chajmowiez said the charity had asked Games organisers to allow ex-prisoners to clean some of a fleet of 500 cars provided for athletes and officials, but had not heard back.

"For now we have no work to offer," Chajmowiez said.

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• 2024 Olympics

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