Louvre's Defenses Criticized as Jewel-Heist Suspects Near Custody Cutoff
Paris police acknowledge significant security gaps at the Louvre museum, exposing vulnerabilities in France's protection of its national treasures.
Paris police have acknowledged major shortcomings in the Louvre Museum's security systems, highlighting a nationwide concern over how France safeguards its cultural heritage.
Paris Police Chief Patrice Faure informed Senate lawmakers that aged infrastructure and slow response times left significant weaknesses in the world's most-visited museum.Faure detailed that certain parts of the video surveillance network are still operating on analog systems, which result in lower-quality images that are not easily shared in real time.
A long-awaited modernization project, costing $93 million and requiring around 60 kilometers (37 miles) of new cabling, is expected to be completed only between 2029-2030.Furthermore, Faure revealed that the Louvre's authorization for its security cameras lapsed in July and was not renewed, reflecting broader issues.
The theft, involving the theft of eight pieces from the French crown jewels, occurred while tourists were inside, underscoring the inefficiency of the current systems.Two suspects have been arrested over the weekend, including one apprehended at Charles-de-Gaulle Airport as he attempted to leave France.
Under French law, custody can extend up to 96 hours; this limit is set to expire on Wednesday, requiring prosecutors to either charge the suspects, release them, or seek an extension.The Louvre values the stolen items at approximately $102 million, and none has been recovered.
This incident also highlights an insurance gap since the jewels were not privately insured.
The French state self-insures its national museums due to the high costs of premiums for priceless heritage, meaning the Louvre will receive no compensation for the loss.Faure opposes implementing a permanent police presence within the museum, arguing that it would be ineffective against mobile and swift theft crews.
Instead, he suggested utilizing AI-based tools for detecting anomalies and tracking objects across city cameras in real time to enhance security measures.The October 19 heist was executed with efficiency and speed.
Thieves reached the jewel gallery near street-facing windows, cut through reinforced cases, and escaped within minutes.
David Desclos, a former bank robber, assessed that the vulnerabilities in the layout of the gallery were glaringly obvious.This incident places additional pressure on the Louvre, which has faced challenges such as spontaneous staff strikes due to overcrowding and understaffing.
The museum's struggle with managing large tourist crowds and construction-related issues creates further vulnerabilities.Faure stated that police are now focused on monitoring surveillance permit deadlines across institutions to prevent future lapses like the one in July.
However, he emphasized that a comprehensive solution involves significant efforts such as overhauling core systems while maintaining museum operations and updating legal frameworks to enable police actions against suspicious activities before they escape detection.Experts fear that the stolen pieces may be broken down for resale, adding urgency to debates about how France protects its cultural assets.
Paris Police Chief Patrice Faure informed Senate lawmakers that aged infrastructure and slow response times left significant weaknesses in the world's most-visited museum.Faure detailed that certain parts of the video surveillance network are still operating on analog systems, which result in lower-quality images that are not easily shared in real time.
A long-awaited modernization project, costing $93 million and requiring around 60 kilometers (37 miles) of new cabling, is expected to be completed only between 2029-2030.Furthermore, Faure revealed that the Louvre's authorization for its security cameras lapsed in July and was not renewed, reflecting broader issues.
The theft, involving the theft of eight pieces from the French crown jewels, occurred while tourists were inside, underscoring the inefficiency of the current systems.Two suspects have been arrested over the weekend, including one apprehended at Charles-de-Gaulle Airport as he attempted to leave France.
Under French law, custody can extend up to 96 hours; this limit is set to expire on Wednesday, requiring prosecutors to either charge the suspects, release them, or seek an extension.The Louvre values the stolen items at approximately $102 million, and none has been recovered.
This incident also highlights an insurance gap since the jewels were not privately insured.
The French state self-insures its national museums due to the high costs of premiums for priceless heritage, meaning the Louvre will receive no compensation for the loss.Faure opposes implementing a permanent police presence within the museum, arguing that it would be ineffective against mobile and swift theft crews.
Instead, he suggested utilizing AI-based tools for detecting anomalies and tracking objects across city cameras in real time to enhance security measures.The October 19 heist was executed with efficiency and speed.
Thieves reached the jewel gallery near street-facing windows, cut through reinforced cases, and escaped within minutes.
David Desclos, a former bank robber, assessed that the vulnerabilities in the layout of the gallery were glaringly obvious.This incident places additional pressure on the Louvre, which has faced challenges such as spontaneous staff strikes due to overcrowding and understaffing.
The museum's struggle with managing large tourist crowds and construction-related issues creates further vulnerabilities.Faure stated that police are now focused on monitoring surveillance permit deadlines across institutions to prevent future lapses like the one in July.
However, he emphasized that a comprehensive solution involves significant efforts such as overhauling core systems while maintaining museum operations and updating legal frameworks to enable police actions against suspicious activities before they escape detection.Experts fear that the stolen pieces may be broken down for resale, adding urgency to debates about how France protects its cultural assets.
