Market Trends of France Video Surveillance Industry
Growing Crime Rates Showcasing Importance of Video Surveillance
- Following two years of significant decrease in crime rates during the COVID-19 pandemic, the recently released figures from the French Ministry of Interior revealed that nearly all misdemeanor crimes, in particular domestic violence and burglaries, increased across the country last year.
- Furthermore, the SSMSI stated that home burglaries, thefts without violence, and thefts of vehicles or vehicle accessories significantly increased markedly in 2022 after dropping precipitously during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, home burglaries and vehicle thefts jumped by 11% and 9%, respectively, in comparison to the previous year. Despite the considerable uptick, the SSMSI further stated that these offenses remain “below their pre-crisis level, leaving the thefts of accessories from vehicles.”
- Moreover, more than 300 locations across the country experienced violence in 2023 after rioting in Paris after the shooting of a teenager by police. In the first three months of 2023, about 900 acts of violence against elected officials, such as mayors, were reported in the country. Furthermore, mayors requested the government to help elected officials deal with the situation in Indre, in central France, where 95% of the 241 communes are rural.
- As a result, in recent years, the majority of rural communes have installed video protection systems after violent incidents. For instance, in June 2023, the Senate in France approved a controversial provision to a justice bill that would allow law enforcement to secretly activate cameras and microphones on a suspect’s devices. This type of surveillance would be activated without notifying the owner of the device. The same provision would also allow agencies easier access to geolocation data to track suspected criminals.
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The Hardware Segment Gaining Popularity
- With the rising urbanization, video surveillance cameras are a good investment in France as they reduce the risk of thefts and secure property, goods, people, and public spaces. This is further promoted by financial grants that are issued by regional authorities to contribute toward financing home and premises improvements, aiming to reinforce security. Both professionals and private individuals are eligible for the grants.
- For instance, created by the French State in 2007, the FIPD is the Interministerial Crime Prevention Fund (Donds Interministériel de Prévention de la Délinquance in French). It helps municipalities and professionals acquire video surveillance equipment to ensure public safety in areas where crime and insecurity rates are high.
- Furthermore, since May 1, 2003, tobacconists have been able to claim a government grant of up to EUR 10,000 (~USD 10,718) to secure their business and stock. Distinctive security grants for tobacconists are rolled out by the DRDDI, which is the French Directorate-General of Customs and Indirect Taxes. These grants cover the implementation of an initial installation as well as the renewal of equipment when it becomes obsolete, also incorporating equipment maintenance with the aim of technical upgrades. Additionally, these grants are assigned for video surveillance equipment installed in specific areas.
- Since France is significantly famous for fashion shows and tourism owing to its beautiful infrastructure, the government always looks forward to securing it through various security means. For instance, in May 2024, a state-of-the-art security system using artificial intelligence was deployed at the Cannes Film Festival in a test for potential applications at the Paris Olympics two months later. Local authorities stated that 17 experimental cameras equipped with AI technology were used to identify events or behaviors deemed "suspicious" and to help detect abandoned packages, weapons, and people in distress.
