France, Aug. 12 -- Luxury hotspots in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez are facing a rise in violent robberies this summer, prompting a major security clampdown.

Around 30 officers from France's elite CRS police force have been deployed in and around the Gulf of Saint-Tropez on the French Riviera after a string of armed thefts since the summer season began.

The Var department's police prefecture said Tuesday: "Since mid-June, three armed robberies have been carried out in the municipalities, targeting both homeowners and holiday renters. In each case, losses ran into several hundred thousand euros."

Over the same period, there have been 23 luxury watch thefts - some during break-ins, others through street snatches - again involving valuables wo...