Despite increased co-operation with the police and temporary bans on offenders, pickpocketing remains a growing problem for the museum, staff said.

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But the real problem is one of attitude, not space: a history museum which is too keen to make a point risks achieving the opposite.

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The museum's management said it had already asked for more assistance from police to deal with the problem.

BBC: Paris Louvre shuts as staff strike over pickpockets

Despite the Slemani Museum's unorthodox move, smuggling has decreased in the region in part due to the growing awareness of the problem and a joint effort by authorities.

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