The Louvre Museum is moving quickly to address security issues after an 8-minute heist resulted in a $102 million (approximately 88 million euros) loss. From adding cameras in the building to upping ticket sales, the upgrades have been rolled out in the last two weeks. Meanwhile, local police is locked in on the jewel heist investigation, arresting four more people this week in connection.
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Louvre Museum Ramps Up Security With 100 Cameras
The head of the Louvre Museum said last Wednesday that new surveillance cameras and anti-intrusion systems will soon be installed at the Paris landmark. By the end of next year, some 100 cameras will be operational. Surveillance cameras will try to ensure “complete protection of the museum’s surroundings,” Louvre director Laurence des Cars said.
Meanwhile, the museum plans to introduce anti-intrusion systems within two weeks, according to the director. She described the systems as equipment that will prevent intruders from getting close to the museum buildings. On the day of the heist, it took thieves less than 8 minutes to force their way through a window into the Apollo Gallery with the help of a freight lift.
This is all part of more than 20 emergency measures that the Louvre museum will implement. The new measures also include the creation of a “security coordinator” position at the museum, which they posted this month.
Des Cars stressed security improvement is a priority of the decade-long “Louvre New Renaissance” plan, which they launched earlier this year. It has an estimated cost of up to 800 million euros ($933 million), to modernize infrastructure, ease crowding and give the Mona Lisa her own gallery by 2031.
Museum Plans To Increase Ticket Sales For Some Visitors
All these security upgrades require deep pockets, and the Louvre museum is looking to visitors to help fill them. It has approved a ticket hike from 22 to 32 euros ($25 to 37) for non-European visitors starting in January.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced the measure earlier this year as part of a decade-long plan of renovation and expansion of the museum. But the famous jewel heist in October exposed the immediate need. The measure was approved Thursday (November 27) by the Louvre governing board. Nationals from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, countries that signed up to the European Economic Area agreement, will not have to pay the higher price.
In 2024, the Louvre welcomed 8.7 millions visitors, 77% of them foreigners. Top nationalities include people from the U.S. (13%), China (6%) and Britain (5%), who are affected by the price hikes.
Prosecutors Arrest Four More People Connected To Jewel Heist
Meanwhile, with $102 million worth of missing jewels, law enforcement hasn’t stopped working since the heist on October 19. The Paris prosecutor announced four more arrests on Tuesday in connection with the gang robbery.
The two men and two women taken into custody are from the Paris region. They range in age from 31 to 40, said the prosecutor, Laure Beccuau. Her statement didn’t say what role they’re suspected of having played in the theft. Police can hold them for questioning for 96 hours.
French media report that one of those arrested is a 39-year-old individual already known to the police. They are believed to be the fourth member of the team thought to have carried out the daring daylight robbery. Also, they are from Aubervilliers, a suburb north of Paris, where other suspects have connections.
The other three alleged members of the so-called “commando” team have been previously arrested. They face preliminary charges of theft by an organized gang and criminal conspiracy. Their DNA has been found on the scene or on items linked to the robbery. Additionally, a woman arrested in October is accused of complicity.
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Associated Press writer Sylvie Corbet and John Leicester contributed to this report.
