Crime and security

Needle spiking at French festivals: what to watch out for and what to do if targeted

Social media is being used to broadcast assault campaigns concerning unauthorised injections

'Ban door-to-door sales in France', says consumer rights group

'The sums lost by victims are enormous - an average of €20,000 per case', says UFC-Que Choisir

British woman murdered in Dordogne: French authorities have ‘no knowledge’ of a second attack

UK media reports suggest another woman was recently attacked in Tremolat

news

Major trial underway for data leak that left 72,000 victims in France

Leak at French work agency Adecco resulted in one of the biggest data-related frauds ever uncovered in France

British Netflix series Adolescence on online violence to be shown in French schools

The aim is to encourage discussion with young people regarding their relationship with social media, said France’s Minister of Education

Most-stolen dog breeds in France – and how to protect your pet

Thieves target dogs seen as cute, high-status, or with the potential to be aggressive

Charente town with 4,500 people has 79 surveillance cameras

Jarnac's cameras raise privacy concerns amid a national trend towards more surveillance

Warning over fraud risk after leak of user data at French medical laboratory chain

Personal details of patients were stolen in a cyberattack but medical records were reportedly untouched

British woman’s murder in Dordogne: ‘personal grudge’ motive investigated

Police are reported to be concentrating on people likely to wish direct ill of Karen Carter who was fatally stabbed on April 29

Woman in police custody over murder of Briton in Dordogne

Karen Carter, 65, was stabbed at her home on April 29

How security in schools is set to be increased across France after fatal stabbing attack

Teaching staff may soon be able to search students’ belongings

Knifeman in fatal stabbing at mosque in south of France surrenders in Italy

Killer had expressed a desire to become a serial killer

Warning as fake concert ticket scams on the rise in France

Fans are advised to use official channels to avoid invalid or overpriced tickets

Process for drug testing drivers strengthened by French court ruling

The supreme court made the ruling after overturning an appeal against drug-driving

Why official information on British couple's deaths in France is slow to emerge

The investigation highlights stark differences in procedures between France, UK and US

Identities of 12 million people in France potentially leaked in cyberattack: how to protect yourself

Data is for sale and can be used by scammers for ‘phishing’ fraud

British tourist claims rape by Paris taxi driver: Police search suspect

An investigation into the alleged assault has now been opened

Scam alert: Watch out for fake text messages from French banks

The new phishing technique seeks to convince victims to provide their bank details

Fake police steal cash and jewellery during ‘home visit’ in south-west France

Gendarmerie have issued advice on what to do if supposed police officers visit you at home out of the blue

School rugby player 'entirely responsible' for crippling injury, French court rules

Dangerous tackle during a match in 2022 left player tetraplegic

Photo: appeal for witnesses in France over UK cold-case mystery

Charity believes woman was from north of Paris and died in a car accident

Psychological support in place for locals after deaths of British couple in France

Andrew and Dawn Searle were found dead at their home in Aveyron on February 6

Data of more than 200,000 Chronopost clients in France stolen: what to do if affected

The information, including some phone numbers, may be used by scammers at a later date

These types and models of cars are most likely to be stolen in France

Thieves are also increasingly using electronic methods to steal vehicles, research shows

French investigators confirm details of British couple's deaths

The first official statement on the case released on February 11 is published in full here

‘We're so shocked’: Locals react to mystery deaths of British couple in France

The bodies of Dawn and Andrew Searle were found at their home in Aveyron on February 6

Skiers risk a fine (and even criminal charges) for these offences in France

From ‘speeding’ down slopes to drunkenness, we look at the rules of the mountains

Mystery of British couple found dead at home in south of France

Police appeal for information over unexplained deaths. The bodies were reportedly found outside their house

Police urge drivers in Dordogne to be alert to return of this scam

Three drivers were scammed out of cash last month

2024 burglary statistics released: see data per department in France

Official figures show areas with improvements and those that got worse

'Puppet Master' to face trial for running over gendarme in France

Conman may be deported to UK as a result of 2022 incident

No charges in case of British boy found in France after six years missing

‘Alex is now an adult, safe, and reintegrated with life back in Greater Manchester surrounded by those who love him, which ultimately is the priority,’ say police

New blowtorch burglary method revealed by French police

The arrest of three suspects sheds more light on the novel technique

Burglaries: Watch out for this sheet of paper in letterbox trick on homes in France

Police in Brittany issue warning to residents

Scams: How to avoid SIM swapping in France

Technique allows hackers to access personal data and bank accounts

Where in France do people report feeling safest (and most at risk) in new survey

Departments with larger cities tended to fare poorly

How to check if your email was stolen in mass French data leaks

Millions of addresses were stolen by hackers in 2024

Photos: Police search for the owners of goods taken during burglaries in Dordogne and Charente

Hundreds of items, from scooters to tools, were stolen at the end of 2023

Peugeot hit by cyberattack in France with clients’ personal data stolen

Identity information and number plates is to be released to public unless ransom is paid, hackers say

Three charged with taking bribes to provide false French tests for residency cards

The charges relate to the test de connaissance du français. It is thought that more than 250 applicants could be involved in a region of west France

Chronopost, Colissimo, and Mondial Relay: Beware delivery scams in France

The surge in Christmas shopping always leads to an uptick of scams at this time of year

Police appeal for help as thefts of internet and phone cables increase in Brittany

‘These acts of vandalism threaten access to the telephone and internet network’, say police

Cyclist stabbed in row over road rights in Lyon

The argument with two men on an e-scooter reportedly broke out over right of way

French police arrest stowaway after flight from New York

The female passenger was searched as usual at security but managed to slip past two identity and boarding checks

Man accused of murder of British girl in France dies of illness

The man had been in prison pending investigation of the alleged murder of an 11-year-old British girl

Photo: This Frenchman is sought by Europol over alleged €5m fraud

The Luxembourg-born ‘businessman and lawyer’ is now on Europol’s ‘most wanted fugitives’ list

Warning after data of 500,000 Auchan shoppers is targeted in cyber attack

Customers should watch out for scam emails and calls, alerts the supermarket chain

Dozens fall ill in French train station as man pours toxic liquid on floor

The man spilled the liquid and then ‘calmly boarded a train’, police say

French prosecutors call to make Le Pen ineligible in 2027 election

The sentence depends on if the court agrees, and how it would hand down the ruling if so

Walker picking mushrooms in Var loses leg after being shot by hunter, 82

A gendarmerie investigation has now been opened into ‘unintentional violence with a weapon’

Rising cost of vehicle spare parts in France leads to increase in thefts

Official figures reveal a sharp increase in thieves targeting car parts such as bumpers and doors

Kalashnikov rifle and other weapons found hidden at Nice train station

A passenger spotted the arsenal partly concealed in a false ceiling in the public toilets

Debate over whether to keep Olympic surveillance system in Paris

Decision on whether to retain the network is yet to be made, however civil rights groups have raised concerns about privacy

Firework and alcohol sales banned in multiple French departments for Halloween

Dozens of cars were burned on October 31 last year. The interior ministry has also released tips on how to stay safe tonight

Passenger killed as concrete block dropped onto French motorway

The national gendarmerie is appealing for witnesses and has launched a murder investigation

Free Mobile data theft: clients in France warned to look out for scams

The mobile phone provider was hit by a major cyber attack in October

You can now report certain crimes anywhere in France using online tool

The new tool is now live, and aims to get a police officer or gendarme to review your report report within 48 hours

Alert raised after baby boy kidnapped from Paris suburb hospital

Parents of the 17-day old who was born prematurely are the main suspects

40 years on: ‘Grégory’ case remains one of France’s most notorious unsolved murders

The death of the boy, 4, drew national attention to the small village in the Vosges

French police bust wine fraud ring selling low quality wine for €15,000 a bottle

The counterfeiting included the creation of fake French vintage bottle labels

British Alps murders: new reconstruction to take place

The case of the Chevaline killings remains unsolved more than 12 years later

SNCF guilty of involuntary homicide for 2015 accident that killed 11

Two workers have also been handed suspended prison sentences

Can you help identify ‘cold case’ of woman in France with UK coin?

The teenage girl is one of 46 unsolved 'suspicious death' cases highlighted in a new appeal by Interpol

Clothes found of possible eighth victim of French 1970s serial killer

Excavations are taking place in an area where the late killer said he had buried victims

Criminal inquiry after farmer killed during wild boar hunt in France

Hunters were called to reenact the positions they were at the time the fatal shot was fired

‘Like losing a limb’: French musician’s appeal for stolen cello

The instrument is worth €1.3m, but the cellist has said her appeal is not about the ‘commercial value’

More charges brought against bottled water firms supplying France

‘A financial settlement must not put an end to investigations into fraud’, says NGO Foodwatch

Warning of fake restaurant scam on delivery apps

Customers are being urged to take care when ordering

Man arrested in Switzerland over death of French student

The 22-year old suspect had been previously convicted of rape and was subject to an order to leave France, but paperwork authorising his extradition was reportedly delayed

Death of Paris student: What is ‘The Sorority’ app that sent alert?

The free app is designed to alert other users in the event that members feel unsafe or at risk of male violence

Crackdown on knife-carrying in France: what are the rules?

Authorities are increasingly applying the existing law more rigorously, but critics say it is ‘too ambiguous’

Body of missing student found buried in Paris wood

The teenager had been reported missing a day earlier by her parents whom she was due to visit

Record in contraband alcohol and tobacco seized in south-west France

Goods had come from Andorra and are believed to have been intended for sale in Haute-Garonne and Tarn departments

French wife in mass rape case angered by suggestions of complicity

Former husband admits drugging her and letting up to 50 strangers assault her. Defence lawyers ask if she has exhibitionist traits

Detainee escapes during court hearing in the south of France

The man jumped over the dock and fled the building and is yet to be found