Brussels (The Brussels Morning Newspaper): Police have intensified operations around Brussels North Station due to rising crime, including drug dealing and theft. In July and August, they made 333 arrests and seized significant narcotics, aiming to enhance safety for residents and visitors.
For quite long the area near Brussels North Station has been known as a tough neighborhood. People with addictions or mental illness end up in this part of town. There are squats, drugs and prostitution. In late 2022 tensions in the neighborhood increased markedly after a police officer was fatally stabbed. The police have since that time been stepping up action in the area. They are working actively to reduce crime and increase safety for both residents in this neighborhood as well as visitors coming here from elsewhere.
Is the police crackdown at Brussels North Station effective against crime?
After a slight decrease in the number of security operations in the district during the Euros, we have stepped up security ops in the North District, the police now say. ‘In July and August, police officers made 333 arrests.’ During the same period, police also seized over 4 kilos of narcotics and over 1,000 pills. The police have been focusing on catching pickpockets in the neighborhood and on Brabantstraat. They caught 12 suspects stealing or selling stolen items and five people selling or having drugs since August started. The police are also checking businesses and liquor stores that break the law. They checked almost 40 businesses this summer. At a newsagent’s on Liedtsplein, they found and took 1,273 liters of laughing gas. The newsagent was arrested but is out on conditions until the trial.
