SINCE 1963, THE NUMBER OF HOLDUPS HAS INCREASED 347.6 PERCENT, THE NUMBER OF ARMED THEFTS 397.35 PERCENT, AND THE NUMBER OF BURGLARIES 245.68 PERCENT. IN RESPONSE, SECURITY HAS GROWN INTO A 2 BILLION FRANCS A YEAR BUSINESS; 1 BILLION FRANCS ARE SPENT ON PERSONAL PROTECTION, 800 MILLION ON ANTITHEFT DEVICES, AND 200 MILLION ON ARMORED CARS. YET, ONLY 1 PERCENT OF HOMES AND 8 PERCENT OF INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS ARE EQUIPPED WITH ANTITHEFT DEVICES. PRIVATE PROTECTION HAS NOT YET ENTERED INTO FRENCH MORES, EVEN THOUGH INSURANCE COMPANIES WILL NOT INSURE CERTAIN BUSINESSES THAT DO NOT HAVE ADEQUATE PROTECTION AND INSURANCE CLAUSES FOR INDIVIDUAL HOMES ARE BECOMING MORE RESTRICTIVE. INDIVIDUALS, THEREFORE, ARE BEGINNING TO EXPLORE THE SECURITY MARKET. A GOOD LOCK AND AN ALARM SYSTEM ARE THE MOST POPULAR FORM OF PROTECTION, THOUGH MANY ALARMS DISTRIBUTED ON LOCAL MARKETS OFFER ONLY ILLUSORY PROTECTION. ELABORATE AND EFFECTIVE SYSTEMS REMAIN VERY COSTLY. NO REFERENCES ARE CITED. --IN FRENCH. (INL)