Security

Introduction Smoke detectors in France, becoming obligatory? Panorama of the French private security industry CCTV use in France, a growth sector

The French private security industry divides itself into 4 sub-sections: manned guarding, transport of valuables, electronic security and airport security. In 2003, there were just over 4,700 private security companies registered in France, although four-fifths of these consisted of companies with less than 5 employees.

The French industry is the third largest in Europe, behind the UK and Germany  but well in front of the next players, Italy and Spain.

As a whole, the sector has seen annual growth rates above 10% for the last 4 years - one of the strongest growth rates in Europe. Like most European countries, the French private security industry employs about the same number as the national police force, i.e. about 145,000 officers, giving a ratio of 1 policeman to 417 Frenchmen.

The private security force numbers about 117,000 or a ratio of 1 to 516 Frenchmen. This compares to 1/426 and 1/401 respectively  for the UK for 12%. Last year, the private security industry had overall turnover of 3.3Bn€. Within the activities covered, surveillance accounts for 75% of turnover.  Electronic surveillance (CCTV) is the second largest activity, accounting for 12%.