Security

What are the rules for ‘key boxes’ outside homes in France?

The rules depend on where you want to install the box, and whose property it is

Home security cameras: what are the rules in France?

Rules differ dependent upon the scope of any video camera

New national burglary figures: How does your area of France fare?

The newly-released data shows a rise in burglaries and most types of crime - although rates vary and are decreasing in some areas

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Where are homes most at risk of burglary in France?

Plus: tips to help avoid being a victim over Christmas holiday period

20 Ryanair passengers left at Carcassonne airport as plane takes off

Travellers left grounded included a woman on the way to her daughter's wedding and a mother and son travelling for a chemotherapy appointment

What is the EU’s Etias visa waiver scheme?

Britons, Americans, Canadians and Australians will be among the nationalities that will have to apply for the €7 Etias

French airport tests facial recognition instead of passport control

The system allows for faster embarkation on certain European flights

Plans announced to increase security at French train stations

Armed SNCF patrolling agents should also be given authority to intervene during terrorist attacks, said Transport Minister Clément Beaune

France placed on highest security alert - what changes for the public?

Temporary emergency level was put in place on Friday after a teacher was killed in a knife attack in northern France. The incident is being treated as a terrorist attack

What does the term ‘fiché S’ mean in France?

What does it mean if someone in France is described as fiché S?

France tightens security around synagogues and Jewish schools

The interior minister said France was ‘doing everything we can for our Jewish compatriots, because what is happening outside of the country has repercussions in our country’

How to use French post office’s new online identity system

Latest version of Identité Numérique La Poste aims to offer more protection to users than the existing FranceConnect system

Privatised Eurostar security will raise terror risk, says French union

Baggage security checks at Paris Gare du Nord terminal are set to be outsourced, but customs officers fear a threat to safety and increased costs

French festivals ‘could be cancelled’ during 2024 Paris Olympics

France’s Interior Ministry has warned events may need to be cancelled or moved due to the large number of police officers required at the Olympics

Is it practical to install security cameras in my French second home?

The rules and an idea of prices for different systems

Where is the safest place in France to live?

France’s safest department of 2020 has been named, and it is geographically closer to Australia than it is to France.

Who has a key to get into my home letterbox in France?

All postmen and women have a special key that allows them to open most French letterboxes

Keeping second homes in France secure after Brexit

Helpful advice on keeping your property in France secure whilst unoccupied

French city warned over ‘intrusive’ use of CCTV to check number plates

The data protection authority issued an alert to Valenciennes in connection with its agreement with Chinese technology giant Huawei for plate recognition and image analysis systems

The key to finding a good locksmith in France

Look for a locksmith 'serrurier' who owns a shop and works in collaboration with networks of lock manufacturers, such as Point Fort Fichet or Bricard

Sci-fi writers help French army imagine wars of future

A squad of sci-fi writers dubbed the 'Red Team' is helping the French army prepare for new technology conflict scenarios from 2030

Medical data of 500,000 put online in France cyber attack

Hackers published stolen information including names, contact details, social security numbers, and medical history

Thousands protest across France against new security law

Huge crowds were seen across the country this weekend in protest at the controversial new law, with clashes erupting in several cities

All police in France will wear body cameras by July 2021

All police and law enforcement officers in France will carry body cameras as standard from summer 2021, the government has confirmed.

Eurostar to provide contactless travel from UK to France

It will soon be possible to board the Eurostar without showing a ticket or a passport, thanks to new facial recognition technology.

Police to use Google Maps to prove unauthorised building

The use of satellite images to prove planning abuses is now allowed.

SMS scams on the rise in France

Scam messages sent by SMS involving bank card details and unregulated premium-rate numbers have risen in France during the coronavirus pandemic.

Paris mayor hopeful calls for new armed police force

New Paris mayor candidate Agnes Buzyn has said she would like to see a new force of armed municipal police in the capital, to address neighbourhood problems.

France plans 100,000 police for New Year’s Eve unrest

More than 100,000 law enforcement officers will be mobilised across France tonight in anticipation of the expected car torching and unrest that is habitually seen in the country on New Year’s Eve.

France set to test facial recognition security cameras

Security cameras that use facial recognition technology in public places could soon be tested in France by the government, a junior minister has said.

Burglaries in France down – but cybercrime up

Burglaries and car theft rates are falling but violent offences and cybercrime have risen, a new official national crime survey shows.

Metre-long caiman found in river in south France

A caiman - an alligator-like reptile - has been found in a river north of Toulouse (Haute-Garonne, Occitanie), in the south of France.

How artificial intelligence is changing security

The city of Nice tested state-of-the-art facial recognition technology at its annual February carnival – with impressive results. Oliver Rowland visited the city’s video surveillance unit, which ran the tests, to see how it uses artificial intelligence. We also spoke to Confidentia, the Monaco-based firm which developed the cutting-edge software

French restaurant burglar became too drunk to escape

A man who broke into a restaurant in northern France, and then drank so much of its alcohol that he was left unable to escape, has appeared in court.

G7 Biarritz: More than 13,200 police on security alert

There will be 13,200 police officers and gendarmes in Biarritz for this weekend’s G7 summit, the French government has confirmed, saying that “no unrest will be tolerated”.

French debate on facial recognition

After trial’s 100% success rate

Surfing the internet safely while in France

Now that I am in France I find I use my internet much more. How can I improve my online security?

Police will keep your French home safe during holidays

Officers will keep an eye on your home in France as part of Opération Tranquillité Vacances

Why is France’s fire safety record such a disgrace?

When Prince William last travelled to Courchevel 1850 with family and friends, he is said to have used a private jet belonging to the billionaire Duke of Westminster.

Nice Carnival cameras to test recognition software

Experiment will take place using six cameras in one area over a two-day period

Make sense of ... French CRS riot police

You may have seen CRS companies out in force – and in action – during the gilets jaunes protests.

French police unions in government talks on pay

French police union representatives have met with minister of the Interior Christophe Castaner, to discuss overtime pay and compensation in light of the last month of protests, with nothing yet decided.

Homes in France at high burglary risk pre-Christmas

Homeowners and residents in France are being warned that houses are at particular risk of burglary and theft in the run up to Christmas.

Time change for monthly warning siren tests

France divided into three 'bands' for siren tests during run-in period for new software

High-tech innovations abound at Paris Motor Show 2018

New cars and innovations are being exhibited at this year’s Paris Motor Show, including self-driving vehicles, voice controls, and the first exhibition in France for French Renault offshoot brand, Alpine.

French homeowner lays explosive traps for burglars

A man in his 70s in Côtes-d'Armor (Brittany) surprised the local gendarmerie this week after laying homemade explosive traps around his property, to deter and catch potential burglars.

Inquiry opened into Lyon airport runway car incident

An inquiry has been opened into the storming of the runway at Lyon-Saint-Exupéry airport, which saw a man with “psychiatric fragility” drive a stolen car in front of planes before being stopped by police.

When 300ml is not 100ml

I recently took a flight out of Toulouse airport and arrived at security with a bottle of mouthwash into which I had put 75ml of mouthwash.

Anger over security bills for French festivals

Rows have broken out after the government advised prefectures to bill mairies and other organisers of regional festivals for full cost of security at events including national and riot police, gendarmes and snipers.

Police can call by when you are on holiday

If you are going away this summer, you can ask the police to pass by your empty home during their daily rounds.

Stop calls while driving

A phone app helps motorists to ignore calls or texts that may disturb them – and possibly cost them a €135 fine – by blocking them and automatically sending back a message saying the person is driving.

French police steal bags to raise theft awareness

Police in Strasbourg stole handbags and valuables from over 30 tourists and residents in public places this week as part of a campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of pickpocketing and theft.

Paris lock down for Bastille Day and World Cup final

12,000 police on duty over weekend in capital

More security for e-letters in France

Registered letters are a part of bureaucracy in France to ensure important mail arrives.

European bad driving: French least likely to indicate

How would you rate driving standards in France? A new report on European driving behaviour has found that the French are least likely to indicate, the Germans most likely to speed, and the Spanish most likely to honk.

Tight controls on World Cup fan zones

No events in open public spaces due to security fears, insists Interior Minister - but matches can be broadcast in controlled zones

New agency tool helps generate secure online passwords

National data protection agency La Cnil has created an online tool to help generate strong and easy-to-remember internet passwords, as many users are still risking fraud and data theft.

France condemns Trump gun comments on Paris attacks

The foreign office has condemned comments by US President Donald Trump about the November 2015 Paris terrorism attacks, and requested “respect for the memory of the victims”.

False alarm siren sparks concern

Unexpected alerts were signalled across Seine-Maritime on Wednesday

Focus of Macron’s Australia state visit revealed

The Elysée has confirmed that Macron's official visit is focusing on “strengthening the strategic partnership” between Australia and France, especially on defence and climate change, as well as food, art, and culture.

Eiffel Tower reopens after security staff strike

The Eiffel Tower has reopened its doors to the public this weekend after it was closed by two days of strikes by security guards.

Government to put more police on patrol

Interior Minister unveils first stage of scheme to add 10,000 officers to police ranks in five years

'Train marshals’ on TGVs

Measure taken to improve public safety

Security staff given right to carry gun when needed

More than 2,000 private security staff could be armed

Nice locals asked to film crimes in new police app

A smartphone app that allows the public to film and report crimes or incidents to the police - as they take place - is being tested in Nice.

France to give every prisoner a landline telephone

France is to install a landline telephone in every prison cell across the country after a successful trial.

France legalises weapons for personal security staff

Personal security guards are now permitted to carry weapons, according to a new law published in the Journal Officiel on December 31.

Security stepped up for New Year

Nearly 140,000 police, soldiers and firefighters on duty to ensure New Year's Eve celebrations pass peacefully

Security stepped up for Christmas

Nearly 100,000 security officers will be on duty over the holiday weekend

Hop! plane U-turns as man gets on wrong flight

An Hop! Air France plane was forced to make a U-turn on the tarmac at Orly airport this week after a passenger accidentally got on the wrong flight.

Avoid airport gloom over festive travel

Cabin baggage restrictions can still catch out even the most seasoned traveller

EU votes through tight border checks

Britons entering EU's Schengen Zone after Brexit could be affected

France extends stricter border controls

'Persistent terror threat' cited as reason for six-month extension of tighter security at borders of Schengen-area neighbours

French ministry tricks own staff in email link sting

Clicking on unknown email links can be dangerous, and now the French Economic and Finance ministry has proven just how easily email users can be tricked, with a sting campaign that intentionally duped its own staff.

Mayor praises security forces over knife attack

Soldiers' 'rapid reaction' prevented further bloodshed, Jean-Claude Gaudin says after incident in which two women were stabbed to death at Marseille's Saint Charles railway station