IF you are planning on taking a holiday through the summer months or your business premises will be left empty, many areas operate Operation Tranquillité Vacances which is overseen by the local police or gendarmerie.
The service is designed to provide property owners with added security as police officers will be aware that a building is empty and so be vigilant during patrols.
Before you leave you need to contact your local gendarmerie and tell them of your dates of departure, but you also need to make sure you have taken steps to keep you property secure.
One thing the gendarmerie ask you not to do is advertise the fact that you are away on social media such as Facebook, however tempting it might be to upload photographs of lovely corners of France.
Also ask neighbours to take in any letters or parcels that might be delivered whilst you are away, the last thing you want to show off is a post box full of mail.
You might also want to change the number of rings on your landline telephone for when the answerphone kicks in, again it will not signal that you are away from home.
The gendarmerie will also ask that you make sure your home is properly secure ensuring all your doors and window locks are working properly.
Other tips include putting any valuables or large amounts of money in a safe whilst away, and people who live in the countryside are advised to work with their neighbours and be aware when people are away.
Related: Dordogne towns and attractions to see military patrols this summer
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