Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper): Axa, ING, and Deutsche Bank leaders urged Prime Minister Alexander De Croo for urgent action on rising safety issues in Brussels’ Porte de Namur, affecting 3,000 employees amid drug use and violence.
Three bank leaders from Axa Belgium, ING Belgium, and Deutsche Bank Belgium sent a letter to politicians about serious safety problems in the centre of Brussels. They reported rising issues like drug use, prostitution, public indecency, and violence near their offices at Porte de Namur. The directors highlighted that the area is becoming less clean and more dangerous, affecting both employees and the image of the city. They called for immediate action from local authorities and public transport officials to improve the situation, especially around the Naamsepoort metro station.
What steps are being taken to improve safety in Porte de Namur, Brussels?
On December 13, bank leaders from Axa Belgium, ING Belgium, and Deutsche Bank Belgium wrote to several politicians, including Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, asking for quick action on safety issues in the Porte de Namur area of Brussels. They haven’t received any replies yet. Axa’s spokesperson stressed the importance of teamwork among officials to ensure the safety of their 3,000 employees and visitors. This area, which connects to the busy Matonge district, has faced some safety concerns, including a shooting last year, leading the government to focus on addressing drug problems there.
On Friday, the cabinets of Vervoort, Verlinden, and Close said they got a letter from bank leaders and are looking into the situation with local police. Verlinden’s spokesperson mentioned that if there are issues, they might bring in federal police. They are focusing on security at Porte de Namur, especially concerning drugs and thefts, with the metro station being a key area. The Brussels government has been working on drug problems with projects like Sublink and is coordinating with local police to improve safety in the city.
