Louvre shuts as museum staff walkout over pickpockets
WORKERS staged a walkout at the world famous The Louvre museum in Paris in a protest against pickpockets targeting visitors and employees today.
Staff say the problem is hindering their ability to welcome tourists and protect the gallery's collections, and that the thieves are often children.
Crowds of tourists were left disappointed and it is unclear when the museum, which received almost 10 million visitors last year, will re-open.
Mariam Kamel, 16, from Washington said: "We've been cheated."
While the teenager's teacher said she had given specific instructions to her students to avoid being pickpocketed while in Paris.
Rhonda Eastman said: "On the metro they no longer speak English, they don't stand together, they're snobs."
We've been cheated
The Louvre were unable to confirm the exact number of pickpocket victims, but said it was a growing problem.
The museum said they have worked in closer co-operation with the police to combat the problem, and that it would crack down on repeat offenders.
A staff member said: "The children are tough and very well organised.
"They stop at nothing to get what they want, and work in gangs."