A security worker at the Louvre has told Sky News that “obsolete” equipment and a “drastic cut in staff” meant they had “reached the limit” of what they could do to protect the world-famous museum.
Elise Muller, who patrols rooms inside the former palace, said she is “enraged” by Sunday’s jewellery heist and that security shortcomings have long been highlighted.
She said: “We have raised the alarm through our union, and our colleagues have all repeatedly warned about the difficulties we face every day at work; equipment being in poor condition, sometimes even completely obsolete, coupled with a very drastic cut in staff.
“We inevitably reached the limit of what we could do to secure the building and its collections.”
A day after the brazen daylight robbery, the doors of Louvre remained closed.
Disappointed visitors were turned away as police continued to hunt the gang that robbed one of the world’s most famous museums.
“You can’t imagine it. You see it in the movies. It was very well thought out, and this is something that happened in minutes,” Luis from Mexico told me.
“I’m really disappointed, it was a once-in-a-lifetime to come see it and now I’m not going to get to see it because the robbery is a once-in-a-lifetime too,” added Cathy from Florida.
Read more:
All we know about ‘theft of the decade’
‘Race against time’ as police try to recover ‘priceless’ jewels
It was around 9.30am on Sunday when thieves used a motorised ladder to access the first floor of the Louvre.
They then smashed through the window and entered the Apollo gallery which houses the jewels belonging to Napoleon and French regents.
Inside, they grabbed treasures including necklaces, earrings, and a tiara and then fled on scooters after dropping a crown belonging to Empress Eugenie.
Follow our channel and never miss an update
The prosecutor told French media the audacious heist is likely the work of an organised criminal group possibly stealing for a collector.
But it’s a crime that’s outraged many in France who wonder, how could this happen?
In a radio interview, justice minister Gerald Darmanin said France had failed – questioning why the museum’s windows weren’t secure and how the thieves could break in on a busy road.
Police are now desperately trying to track down the culprits before the treasures are lost.
Alexandre Giquello auctions precious antiques.
He said the robbers will need to shift the jewels quickly, and because they’re so famous they won’t be able to sell them as whole pieces on the black market.
He said: “If you want to take something like this you have to destroy it – chop up the stones, melt the gold and that’s the disaster of this.”
Be the first to get Breaking News
Install the Sky News app for free
We contacted the Louvre about the concerns Ms Muller raised but a spokesperson said they would not be making a comment.
In a statement on Sunday, the Culture Ministry highlighted that a new master security plan is being implemented as part of the “New Renaissance project” announced by President Emmanuel Macron in January.
It includes upgraded security measures with next generation cameras, perimeter detection systems, and a new security control centre.
But that all takes time, and catching the thieves who broke into the Louvre is now about more than just solving a crime, it’s about saving national treasures and France’s reputation.
