Romanian pickpockets cause problems at The Louvre museum in Paris, staff "overwhelmed"

The Louvre museum in Paris closed its doors last week after security guards walked out due to what they describe as impossible working conditions in tackling pickpockets. Much of the blame appears to lie with a group of people of Romanian origin living in Paris district Saint Denis, according to the French police, quoted by Le Monde. Some 200 staff members went on strike last week, according to the French newspaper.

Security workers at the museum, which houses one of the most important art collections in the world as well as a treasure trove of archeological artifacts, have voiced a wide range of complaints. These include intimidation, coping with between 30 and 50 pickpockets operating in The Louvre a day and some staff being too frightened to walk to the metro after work alone. The pickpockets are apparently working in teams, which include scantily dressed young women to create a distraction and minors, or those who claim to be minors, when caught.

The museum has seen “an exponential increase” in pickpockets since last year, according to Le Monde. “We are overwhelmed, stressed out,” said Gary Guillaud, supervisor at the museum and union representative, quoted by Le Monde. The newspaper also quotes another union representative who says that staff, particularly women, are afraid to come to work. When they intervene to stop the pickpockets, they reportedly face being spat at, shoved around, scratched or generally intimidated. Staff at the museum also report that the pickpockets frequently smoke and eat inside the museum.

According to The Louvre, many crimes go unreported and the average of 1.5 incidents officially recorded are potentially only a small fraction of the total.

The museum has requested the continuation and extension of police support and suggested changing the way security personnel work, for example, by putting them together in groups.

photo source: sxc.hu