Eiffel Tower shut in protest at pickpocket explosion

May 23, 2015 03:26

The Eiffel Tower in Paris was closed on Friday after staff went on strike to protest against marauding pickpockets who they say fleece tourists daily and threaten staff.

The Eiffel Tower is momentarily closed, read the sign by one of the worlds most visited monuments, as staff said they could no longer cope with the rising number of pickpockets operating on the citys famed iron lady, following several attacks and threats.

Representatives from among 40 staff refusing to work said they were powerless to prevent gangs of between four to five pickpockets, and sometimes 30 on the monument at any one time.

"There have always been pickpockets at the Eiffel Tower, but we are now facing an organised network," said a union representative.

Staff called on management to provide formal guarantees so that lasting, efficient measures are taken to end this scourge that numerous tourists fall foul of every day.

They said that high-spending Asian tourists were the most commonly targeted.

Read full story HERE.

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