De Haan (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – De Haan police, led by spokesperson Dennis Goes, warn residents after multiple burglaries. Patrols increased; citizens were urged to secure their homes, report suspicious activity, and provide vehicle details to aid investigations.
As VRT News reported, De Haan police, in the province of West Flanders, Belgium, are warning residents after a series of burglaries in the town. Several break-ins have been reported in a short time. Officers say burglars often target houses that appear empty or have weak security.
What are the De Haan police doing to protect residents after rising Burglaries?
Police are urging residents to take precautions. They should lock doors and windows, switch on alarm systems, and report any suspicious activity immediately.
“We want to raise awareness before the burglary epidemic becomes too severe,”
says spokesperson Dennis Goes.
Police in De Haan have increased patrols in several neighbourhoods at different times of the day. Officers advise simple steps to give the impression that someone is at home, such as turning on lights.
Authorities also urge residents to stay alert for unusual activity in their area. They mentioned that if someone is seen moving through a garden or if sounds like breaking glass or banging are heard, citizens should call the police immediately.
Officials note that many people hesitate to report incidents, but they stress that it is better to call too often than too late. Police say quick reporting and neighbourhood vigilance are essential to preventing burglaries and keeping the community safe.
“And because residents hesitate, valuable time is often lost. When reporting suspicious vehicles, information about the direction of travel, license plate, colour, or type of vehicle is extremely valuable to our investigation,”
it added.
De Haan is usually seen as a safe area when it comes to home burglaries. In 2023, the town recorded only 0.9 attempted or completed break-ins per 10,000 homes, well below the Flemish average of 4.9. Despite this, concern has grown recently.
On the night of 30 September to 1 October 2025, a 32-year-old man from the Netherlands was arrested for breaking into a jeweller’s shop in De Haan. Police in the Bredene/De Haan district carried out an investigation, recovered stolen jewellery worth hundreds of thousands of euros, and found tools in the suspect’s vehicle that linked him to the crime.