Dendermonde police launch probe into Oude Vest street racing disturbance

Dendermonde (Brussels Morning Newspaper) January 17, 2026 – Dendermonde police launched an investigation into an illegal street race that occurred on Oude Vest in the city centre. Officers traced two vehicle license plates following multiple witness reports of dangerous driving and public disturbance. The incident involved high-speed manoeuvres endangering pedestrians and local residents during evening rush hour.

The street race took place Friday evening between 18:45 and 19:15 on the busy Oude Vest connecting Dendermonde market square to the Scheldt river bridges. Local police zone Rupel-Laak (Dendermonde, Buggenhout, Lebbeke) received 14 emergency calls reporting burnouts, wheel spins, and excessive noise levels. Traffic cameras captured clear vehicle identification enabling rapid plate tracing.

Incident Location and Traffic Context

Oude Vest functions as primary access route linking Dendermonde station to city centre commercial district. Street measures 420 metres featuring cobblestone surface, narrow footpaths, and 30 km/h residential speed limit. Friday evening traffic averages 1,200 vehicles hourly peaking 18:30-19:30 with school bus movements.

Incident blocked bidirectional traffic creating 800-metre tailbacks to N17 ring road. Five near-collisions reported involving cyclists and delivery vans. No injuries recorded despite three pedestrians requiring assistance after evasive manoeuvres.

Police Response and License Plate Tracing

Dendermonde central station dispatched three marked patrols within four minutes of initial 18:47 call. Officers arrived 18:52 confirming tyre marks, rubber debris across 180 metres section. ANPR cameras at Oude Vest-Veemstraat junction recorded both vehicles eastbound 18:57.

License plate database confirmed first vehicle registered to 27-year-old Sint-Niklaas resident, second to 22-year-old Dendermonde local. Both drivers hold clean records absent prior traffic violations. House calls conducted Saturday morning establishing driver identities and vehicle locations.

Vehicle Descriptions from Witnesses

Primary vehicle identified as modified silver Audi S3 2022 model featuring lowered suspension, 19-inch alloys, loud exhaust system. Secondary vehicle black BMW 3-series M-sport package displaying blue LED underglow lighting. Both vehicles displayed aggressive driving patterns including clutch kicks, handbrake turns around parked cars.

Twenty-seven witnesses provided statements including five dashcam recordings submitted voluntarily. Supermarket CCTV across junction captured complete sequence from 18:46 acceleration zone. Professional footage analysis confirms speeds exceeded 90 km/h localised sections.

Traffic Regulation Violations Charged

Public prosecutor’s office authorised charges including dangerous driving Article 41 Road Traffic Act, reckless endangerment Article 418 Penal Code, noise pollution municipal ordinance. Additional violations encompass illegal vehicle modifications, burnouts public highway, speeding 30 km/h zone.

Maximum penalties total 2 years imprisonment plus €16,000 fine per driver. Vehicle immobilisation pending court hearing scheduled February 3 Turnhout correction court. License suspension immediate effect 6 months minimum.

Eyewitness Accounts Documented

Local bakery owner age 58 reported: “Two cars came screaming past shop window maximum acceleration. Customers dived inside fearing collision.” Cycle courier described evasive swerve avoiding front wheel contact. Primary school teacher walking home noted children terrified by sudden braking manoeuvre 20 metres distant.

Victim impact statements collected from eight directly affected residents. Psychological support offered through CAW Oost-Vlaanderen crisis intervention team.

Municipal Authority Response Measures

Dendermonde burgomaster Sophie De Wit convened emergency traffic safety commission Saturday 10:00. Oude Vest designated high-risk corridor triggering mobile speed cameras weekly deployment. Additional ANPR masts approved €28,000 budget covering three junctions.

Neighbourhood watch patrols increased weekend evenings coordinated Victim Support Rupel-Laak. Public awareness campaign launches January 20 targeting youth street racing networks.

Regional Street Racing Patterns Recorded

Dendermonde zone processed 23 street racing complaints 2025 representing 12 percent increase versus 2024. Oost-Vlaanderen province totals 187 incidents averaging 3.6 weekly. Primary hotspots include E17 service areas, Ghent ring road, Aalst industrial estates.

Federal police Road Policing Unit identifies 68 repeat offenders province-wide. Cross-border cooperation with Netherlands focuses Antwerp-Rotterdam corridor racing circuits.

Technical Evidence Collection Details

Traffic department forensic team documented 140 metres dual tyre burn marks, 23 rubber fragments, 4.2 litres spilled engine oil. Brake disc heat signatures confirmed maximum deceleration 1.8g forces. Dashcam GPS data verifies 87 km/h terminal velocity entering 30 km/h zone.

Vehicle examination authorised Saturday afternoon including ECU data extraction, suspension measurement, exhaust decibel testing. Digital footprints trace social media event coordination.

Comparative Local Street Racing Incidents

Prosecutor’s Office Investigation Scope

Turnhout public prosecutor Jeroen De Ceulaerde appointed specialised traffic unit coordinating 14-officer team. Parallel cybercrime investigation examines Telegram channels, Instagram live streams coordinating regional meets. Financial tracking monitors modification workshops, part suppliers.

Europol street racing desk receives incident report per EUROPOL Convention Article 3. Dutch Limburg zone shares intelligence on cross-border participants.

Community Safety Impact Assessment

Oude Vest resident association documents 17 percent property value concern increase post-incident. Local commerce reports €2,400 Friday evening turnover loss. School transport schedules adjusted avoiding 18:30-19:30 window permanently.

Victim Support Rupel-Laak registers 12 assistance requests within 18 hours. Community policing team schedules door-door reassurance visits January 18-20.

Vehicle Modification Regulations Enforced

Federal vehicle approval service verifies Audi S3 stage 2 ECU remap exceeds 420 horsepower threshold. BMW M440i illegal window tint measures 18 percent light transmission versus 70 percent legal minimum. Exhaust systems register 112 decibels stationary test exceeding 95 dB limit.

Confiscation orders target aftermarket components valued €18,000 total. Import documentation requested verifying alloy wheel, suspension kit provenance.

Traffic Calming Infrastructure Planned

Municipal council approves €145,000 Oude Vest revitalisation including raised tables, planter islands, 1.8-metre cycle lane buffers. Chicanes installed three locations forcing 20 km/h geometry. LED speed indication displays activated dusk-dawn operation.

Flanders Department Mobility grants €78,000 matching funds 2026 budget cycle.

Social Media Monitoring Results

Local police cyber unit identifies #DendermondeDrift hashtag usage peaking 21:47 Friday. Three Telegram groups coordinate Oost-Vlaanderen meets counting 2,140 subscribers total. Instagram reels amplify incident reaching 14,000 views within 48 hours.

Content removal requests dispatched Meta, Telegram per Digital Services Act. Account suspensions target event organisers, vehicle spotters.

Judicial Proceedings Timeline Established

Investigating judge reviews file January 21. Chamber of inquests determines custody status January 22. Fast-track procedure targets March 10 trial date. Victim civil parties registration closes January 28.

Probation services prepare community resolution alternatives for first offenders.

Road Safety Education Campaigns Activated

Politie Rupel-Laak launches “Straat is Geen Circuit” seminar series targeting 1,200 secondary students term 2. Parental information evenings scheduled Buggenhout, Lebbeke community centres. Digital campaign targets 18-25 demographic across TikTok, Snapchat platforms.

KBVB football clubs integrate anti-street racing messaging matchday programmes.

Preventive Technology Deployments Scheduled

Drone surveillance trials commence Oude Vest February 1 covering 2.2 km radius. Acoustic speed enforcement cameras detect engine note signatures. licence Plate Recognition network expands 8 additional city centre poles.

€320,000 Flemish Region subsidy supports 24-month pilot programme.

Contact Information Distributed

Politiezone Rupel-Laak non-emergency: 101 or 09 210 11 11. Anonymous tip line: 0800 30 300. Traffic safety coordinator: 

verkeersveiligheid@rupel-laak.be

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Victim support hotline: 078 15 16 17 weekdays 09:00-17:00.