Security protocols 'failed' in preventing a major jewellery heist at the Louvre museum in Paris, leaving the country with a 'terrible image', France's justice minister has said. Thieves wielding power tools broke into the world's most-visited museum in broad daylight on Sunday, stealing eight items described as of inestimable value, before escaping on scooters. There are fears that, unless the thieves are caught quickly, the priceless items, including a diamond and emerald necklace given by Emperor Napoleon to his wife, will be broken down and smuggled out of the country.
The Louvre announced it would remain closed on Monday while investigations continued. French media reports indicated that a preliminary assessment found a third of the rooms in the wing where the robbery took place have no surveillance cameras. Minister Gérald Darmanin stated, 'What is certain is that we have failed, since people were able to park a furniture hoist in the middle of Paris, get people up it in several minutes to grab priceless jewels.'
The decision to tighten security across France's cultural institutions was made after a meeting with police and ministers. French President Emmanuel Macron characterized the robbery as an 'attack on a heritage that we cherish because it is our history'. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez acknowledged the 'great vulnerability' in museum security. The theft occurred between 09:30 and 09:40 local time, shortly after the museum opened. Four masked thieves used a mechanical lift to access the Gallery of Apollo via a balcony and threatened guards before making their escape.
Experts warn that if the thieves aren't caught in the next 24-48 hours, the stolen jewellery, a combination of ornate crowns and necklaces, may be dismantled and sold off, making retrieval much harder. The organized crime behind such thefts is reportedly sophisticated, treating jewels as mere commodities for criminal enterprises.
The Louvre announced it would remain closed on Monday while investigations continued. French media reports indicated that a preliminary assessment found a third of the rooms in the wing where the robbery took place have no surveillance cameras. Minister Gérald Darmanin stated, 'What is certain is that we have failed, since people were able to park a furniture hoist in the middle of Paris, get people up it in several minutes to grab priceless jewels.'
The decision to tighten security across France's cultural institutions was made after a meeting with police and ministers. French President Emmanuel Macron characterized the robbery as an 'attack on a heritage that we cherish because it is our history'. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez acknowledged the 'great vulnerability' in museum security. The theft occurred between 09:30 and 09:40 local time, shortly after the museum opened. Four masked thieves used a mechanical lift to access the Gallery of Apollo via a balcony and threatened guards before making their escape.
Experts warn that if the thieves aren't caught in the next 24-48 hours, the stolen jewellery, a combination of ornate crowns and necklaces, may be dismantled and sold off, making retrieval much harder. The organized crime behind such thefts is reportedly sophisticated, treating jewels as mere commodities for criminal enterprises.
