Astonishing’ Louvre heist used low-tech methods to outsmart high-tech security measures
The theft of “priceless” French crown jewels from the Louvre Museum in Paris on Sunday should lead all institutions that hold valuable items to assess their security measures, say Northeastern University experts.
“This robbery may rewrite museum security protocols,” says Nikos Passas, professor of criminology and criminal justice and co-director of Northeastern’s Institute for Security and Public Policy. Even up-to-date technologies need to be assessed against the low-tech methods that the Louvre thieves used. “This lift, cut and escape is just stunning.”
The thieves entered the museum’s second floor through a ladder just 30 minutes after opening and while visitors were present. This presents questions about the quality of security training, technology and preparedness for forced entry that should be on the minds of exhibitors of valuable items, Passas says. Because, he says, if thieves can outsmart the Louvre, then all institutions are vulnerable.
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