Eiffel Tower shut as staff walk out over pickpockets

The Eiffel Tower is closed to the public because workers are protesting a recent rise in aggressive pickpockets.

The Paris monument is normally open every day of the year and brings in thousands of visitors daily. It sometimes closes briefly for bomb threats or strikes.

The company that manages the tower said in a statement it did not open on Friday because the staff is concerned about petty crime around the site. It said it is working with police to reach a solution so that the landmark can reopen.

The walkout comes the day after Paris authorities said crime against tourists had dropped this year thanks to reinforced police presence and video surveillance, The Hindu reported.