Poland tightens border in hunt for Auschwitz sign

This two-photo combination shows above: a Polish Police handout showing the entrance to the former Nazi death camp Auschwitz Birkenau, without the Nazi infamous iron sign inscription declaring "Arbeit Macht Frei", German translated to "Work Sets You Free", which was stolen from the entrance of the former Auschwitz death camp, Polish police said, in Oswiecim, southern Poland, on Friday. The photo below shows an exact replica of the sign, produced when the original received restoration work years ago, which was quickly hung in its place, on Friday. Photo: AP.

The Polish government says it has tightened security as the search intensifies for the infamous “Arbeit Macht Frei” sign that was stolen from the Auschwitz memorial site.

Interior Ministry spokeswoman Wioletta Paprocka, said on Saturday that border guards at Poland’s eastern border with Ukraine and Belarus - which is also the European Union’s eastern frontier - stepped up checks of goods out of Poland looking for the sign, which means “Work Makes You Free.”

Checks have also been tightened at airports.

Interior Minister Jerzy Miller, ordered the police to increase vigilance and question all possible witnesses and suspects in a nationwide effort to find the sign that stands as one of Nazi Germany’s most chilling symbols.

Thieves stole the sign before dawn on Friday.