Actors at Cannes face ‘heist film’ of thieves trying to clean them out
ACTORS flocking to the Cannes Festival have been warned of security threats that would not be out of place in a Hollywood heist film, including to be on guard for “fake cleaners” pilfering jewellery from hotel rooms.
Security specialists believe this year’s event will be a “bonanza” for criminals starved of opportunities during the Covid crisis.
Last year the British actress Jodie Turner-Smith had jewellery stolen from her suite during the annual festivities on the Riviera.
Stars in Cannes could be targeted by “fake cleaners” posing as staff to raid hotel rooms, according to close protection experts working at the festival.
John Moore, whose company Westminster Security is providing VIP protection in Cannes, fears internet pranksters will be poised to ambush celebrities, thieves posing as millionaires will “blag” access to luxury yachts, and that all criminals could avoid being recognised with the help of Covid face masks and sunglasses. Mr Moore said of the criminal contingent: “It’s a bit like spawning season. They are all drawn there. It’s a bonanza for them.”
Patrick Boffa, a French security consultant who has advised protection staff at Cannes, said criminals were “used to getting in touch with the staff – room service and valets – in palaces to get information about celebrities’ reservations”.
He added: “I find it unacceptable that celebrities have to hide their jewellery, which stops them from displaying their
belongings.” The 75th Cannes Film Festival opens on Tuesday, and is to welcome stars such as Tom Cruise and Léa Seydoux.
Security teams working to protect celebrity guests, and national delegations, will be wary of the town’s reputation as a rich pickings for thieves.
Last year tens of thousands of pounds worth of jewellery was taken from the suite of British actress Turner Smith at the five-star Marriott hotel on La Croisette, Cannes’ most lavish boulevard, and the door to her room showed no signs of forced entry.
It became the fifth heist in Cannes in eight years, and took place during a film festival made quieter than usual because of Covid-19 restrictions. Mr
Moore believes the lifting of restrictions will mean many more celebrities in the resort town this year, and more criminals seeking to target them
There are no British productions in the official selection for Cannes this year, but films starring Anthony Hopkins, Tilda Swinton, and Idris Elba are being screened at the festival.
The talk of the festival this year is likely to be dominated by Cruise’s Top Gun sequel, Baz Luhrmann’s surreal film about Elvis, and David Cronenberg’s body horror