Djamila Khaldi, a cleaner, 54, lives near the famous Saint-Denis Basilica which draws vast numbers of tourists each year and is not far from the street targeted in the raid at the heart of the town’s historic centre.
“I was up before 4am because I had to drive my daughter to the airport. I heard the shots and I just thought, there must be some kind of stand-off, terrorists must be hiding here. Already since Friday’s attacks there was a heavy atmosphere here.
“People had been asking how the attackers did it, whether any of them were still here. When the police “wanted” photo [of Salah Abdeslam] came up on television, people were asking themselves if it was a face they knew, some were convinced they’d seen him here at some point. There was a lot of fear.
“I thought there was probably a link between drug dealers and the attackers. What can you say?
“Terrorism has come to Saint-Denis, the mood has changed and it will stay that way. People are distrustful, looking at each other. Saint-Denis will be labelled for this now. It’s a real shame.”
