The Louvre’s cameras failed to detect burglars in time to prevent their audacious daylight heist of some of France’s crown jewels, the museum’s director said on Wednesday, amid growing anger directed at officials over major security lapses.
The thieves broke into the world-famous Paris museum on Sunday using a crane to smash an upstairs window, then stole jewels worth over $100 million before escaping on motorbikes.
News of the robbery reverberated around the world, and prompted soul-searching in France over what some viewed as a national humiliation.
Laurence des Cars, the director of the Louvre, revealed to senators that she had tendered her resignation following a robbery incident. However, Culture Minister Rachida Dati, who is also facing criticism in the aftermath, declined her offer to step down.
Des Cars pointed out that the museum’s external security cameras do not provide comprehensive surveillance of the building’s facade. She further noted that the specific window used by the burglars to gain entry was not under CCTV surveillance.
“Despite our efforts, despite our hard work every day, we were defeated,” Des Cars told a Senate committee.
Many in France and around the world have been baffled by how four hooded assailants were able to drive up to the world’s most visited museum, smash a second-floor window and make off with a handsome booty without getting caught. Ministers have admitted that serious security lapses occurred.
“We did not detect the thieves’ arrival early enough,” Des Car said, blaming it on the fact that there were not enough cameras outside monitoring the perimeter of the Louvre.
The exterior security cameras do not offer full coverage of the museum’s facade, she said, adding that the window through which the thieves broke in was not monitored by CCTV.
Des Cars said she had repeatedly warned that the centuries-old building’s security was in a dire state. “The warnings I had been sounding came horribly true last Sunday.”
She pledged to establish no-parking perimeters in areas around the Louvre, upgrade the CCTV network and ask the interior ministry to set up a police station inside the museum.
The heist, on a Sunday morning after the Louvre had already opened to visitors, has prompted an assessment of security at museums across the country. Paris is home to some of the world’s best-known cultural institutions, including museums like Orsay, Pompidou and Quai Branly which help sustain booming tourism.
At least four French museums have been robbed over the last two months, according to media reports.
On Tuesday, prosecutors said they had charged a Chinese-born woman over the theft of six gold nuggets worth over $2 million from the Museum of Natural History in Paris last month. She was arrested in Barcelona while trying to dispose of some melted gold, they said.
