http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013...ed-pickpockets
Thoughts? Both in regards to the museum closing, and pickpocketing in Paris and elsewhere in France and Europe.
While I'm surprised it's reached this level, I had noticed in my travels that Paris in particular, and France in general, seems to have a high level of pickpocketing and high-pickpocketing-risk areas. I'm curious what factors might be making pickpocketing so much of an issue there. Subjectively, it seems like a much larger problem in France than the UK, Scandinavia, or the U.S. Is law enforcement on it lax? Are social or economic issues at fault? Simply the number of tourists in France making it more attractive?
Quote:
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The Louvre, the world's most visited museum, was forced to close on Wednesday after workers staged a walkout in protest over pickpockets. More than 100 staff stopped work to denounce raids by organised gangs which they said were growing in number and becoming "more aggressive", targeting both visitors and staff in the vast galleries. |
While I'm surprised it's reached this level, I had noticed in my travels that Paris in particular, and France in general, seems to have a high level of pickpocketing and high-pickpocketing-risk areas. I'm curious what factors might be making pickpocketing so much of an issue there. Subjectively, it seems like a much larger problem in France than the UK, Scandinavia, or the U.S. Is law enforcement on it lax? Are social or economic issues at fault? Simply the number of tourists in France making it more attractive?