I should have perhaps added that the gravel is a waste product of some
other
works the council are doing and it seems the local community at large
are
digging into the diminishing pile of gravel.


However, just because everyone else is taking it does not mean that they
are
authorised to do so!

Absolutely, Peter.

The OP should be aware that because of the French culture of the law
being more of a guideline or something to be used when Something Bad
Happens, that the condition for EU membership of not having the death
penalty for gravel theft has not reached the French Alps.

Mme. Guillotine is full operational in the village square and the
jobsworths don't have peaked caps and look like Derek Guyler; nor do
they have striped Tshirts, ride bicycles and sell onions.

However, I am sure that they work for the local government and park
their detector vans behind the Mairie.


LOL! The problem can be that as the French have an inbred hatred of the
British it would not be unheard of for them to use it as an excuse. If the
OP ends up in the mire he will know who to blame.

Peter Crosland