"France's culture minister said on Friday anti-ramming devices would be set up around the Louvre by year's end, after a high-profile heist at the famed museum reignited debate over its security. The announcement comes after four thieves parked a truck with a moving lift under one of its windows during opening hours on October 19th, then used cutting gear to break into a first-floor gallery and steal jewellery worth an estimated $102 million."
"Culture Minister Rachida Dati, speaking after reading an initial report on the museum's security systems, said on Friday that urgent measures were needed to address the situation. "For more than 20 years, there has been a chronic underestimation of intrusion and theft risks" at the Louvre, Dati told broadcaster TF1. "We can't continue like this." The report cited inadequate security equipment and "completely obsolete" intrusion-response protocols, she added."
"Last week, the Louvre's director Laurence des Cars said security cameras did not adequately cover the thieves' point of entry, the only camera installed facing away from the balcony by which they entered. Dati said the museum's internal security systems worked on the day of the theft, but also warned of "major security flaws" outside the building. To address some of the shortcomings, "anti-ramming" and "anti-intrusion" devices were to be installed "before the end of the year", she said, without elaborating."
Four thieves used a truck with a moving lift and cutting gear to break into a first-floor gallery of the Louvre during opening hours on October 19, stealing jewellery estimated at $102 million. Officials reported inadequate security equipment and described intrusion-response protocols as completely obsolete, noting a chronic underestimation of intrusion and theft risks over the past 20 years. Security cameras did not adequately cover the thieves' entry point. Internal systems worked on the theft day while external protections showed major flaws. Anti-ramming and anti-intrusion devices are to be installed before year's end. Seven people have been arrested and two charged; the stolen pieces remain missing, including an emerald-and-diamond necklace given by Napoleon I and a diadem that once belonged to Empress Eugenie.
Read at www.thelocal.fr
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