Watch thefts and serious crash mark busy GP weekend for Monaco police
By Zak Jackson, MonacoViews Editorial
Police and courts dealt with five luxury watch theft cases and a serious road accident during the Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend in Monaco.
The Monaco Grand Prix weekend brought a sharp rise in police and judicial activity across the Principality, with five separate procedures opened for the theft or attempted theft of luxury watches. The incidents follow a pattern seen at major events where large, affluent crowds create opportunities for organised thieves targeting high-value timepieces.
Separately, a 55-year-old Austrian man was seriously injured in a road accident on the port at Fontvieille during the same period. The waterfront area around Fontvieille sees significant traffic and pedestrian congestion during Grand Prix week, and the collision added to what proved an unusually demanding stretch for emergency services and the courts.
The spike in criminal activity during the Grand Prix is a reminder for residents and visitors alike to take extra precautions with valuables during major events. Luxury watches are a known target at high-profile gatherings in Monaco, and the five cases recorded over a single weekend represent a notably concentrated cluster of incidents.