Xavier Lefort, the regional prefect of the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, says the recently imposed nighttime curfew is needed to "protect minors." Lefort held a press conference at the headquarters of the national police force's territorial directorate, outlining the terms and conditions of the curfew introduced on Monday evening in Pointe-à-Pitre and Les Abymes cities. French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin announced the 8:00 pm curfew while on a visit to the economic capital of Pointe-a-Pitre as part of efforts to tackle crime on the Caribbean island, one of France's many overseas territories spanning the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES