By Peter Allen In Paris PUBLISHED: 14:46 EST, 14 April 2013 | UPDATED: 17:26 EST, 14 April 2013 Hundreds of armed police have been placed around Paris' major tourist monuments because of an influx of criminal gangs from eastern Europe. It follows a huge increase in the number of aggressive beggars and pickpockets flooding into the French capital from Romania and Bulgaria – countries whose citizens will soon have unrestricted access to the UK. The Louvre alone now has 20 permanent uniformed officers patrolling its galleries, with five of them placed at the entrance. Guard: Officers at the Louvre, one of a number of attractions in Paris where security has been tightened
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It follows rise in beggars and pickpockets from Romania and Bulgaria
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The Louvre has 20 permanent uniformed officers patrolling its galleries
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Staff went on strike over attacks by youngsters stealing from visitors
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Eiffel Tower, Sacre-Coeur and Pompidou Centre also heavily guarded
Police presence: Hundreds of extras officers have been deployed at monuments including the @placeholder