Thefts have more than doubled as organised gangs turned their attention to the town, attracted by the easy pickings there. READ ALSO Paris Metro pickpocketing gang jailed for a total of 113 years"In Lourdes, they think the Virgin will protect them and that nothing will happen to them." The town, with a population of about 14,000, attracted more than 770,000 visitors last year. Most of the thefts happened in the town centre in the shop-lined roads near the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, an area surrounding a shrine. READ ALSO 14 simple ways to avoid Paris pickpockets and petty thievesThe municipality has put up about 50 video cameras since last year, adding to those the Sanctuary itself has installed.

Source: The Local October 24, 2019 06:22 UTC