French Interior Minister Laurent Nunes believes that the notorious Louvre robbery is an argument in favor of implementing continuous analysis of video surveillance footage using computer algorithms. He said this in an interview with Le Parisien.
„There are street cameras, but it is impossible to assign a police officer to each of the more than 4,000 cameras installed in Paris. In the future, the use of algorithmic video analysis to draw attention to unusual situations, such as the appearance of an elevator near the facade of a building, is one of the areas for further consideration“, the minister said.
He noted that the use of such analysis tools is currently experimental and requires separate approval. In the case of the 2024 Olympics, continuous monitoring using algorithms over a long period required a separate law in parliament, and a similar law will be discussed for the 2030 Games.
“But I strongly support the more systematic use of smart cameras, including outside major sporting or cultural events. And I intend to use this dramatic incident at the Louvre as an argument in favor of the permanent and widespread use of such cameras“, he said.
Nunez added that security at the Louvre will be strengthened, but expressed regret at the difficulty of implementing such measures in cultural institutions. In addition to the high cost, they are sometimes difficult to implement due to “architectural constraints“. However, the Ministry of the Interior has already sent the relevant instructions to the prefects of the country's departments and regional cultural departments, and has also ordered an increased presence of law enforcement agencies in public places near museums.