Two community support officers, known as peacekeepers or gardiens de la paix and identified by their purple jackets, were severely assaulted in a drug hotspot in the Brussels municipality of Saint-Gilles.
The incident took place on Place Bethléem on Wednesday evening, an area identified as a drug hotspot by Brussels authorities after a spate of nearby shootings earlier this year.
Several individuals attacked the two peacekeepers, government employees whose presence aims to increase the public's sense of security in neighbourhoods. The pair were reportedly called to the square to deal with lighting problems, La Libre reported.
As they were leaving the square, a group attacked them, and they received several blows and stab wounds. They were taken to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment. They are not in life-threatening condition, but both officers are in shock.
Local authorities have announced that a complaint will be lodged on Thursday in response to the violent attack. "This attack on our peacekeepers is intolerable and, if proof were still needed, shows that the drug dealers who operate in our neighbourhoods have no faith or law except that of money and violence," said Saint-Gilles' mayor, Jean Spinette (PS).
'Change your habits'
Spinette is again calling on the Federal Government to step up the fight against drug trafficking. "The Justice Department and the Home Office must ensure that our police zone is strengthened so that it can carry out its community policing duties", such as carrying out in-depth investigations and tracking down the networks.
He also urged for Brussels-Midi railway station and the surrounding area to be given special status under the authority of the federal police.
Finally, he called for more substantial reinforcements. The zone's police officers are frequently called on to provide security at the municipality's two major football stadiums, to replace prison officers during strikes, or to assist during demonstrations and EU summits, on top of their increased workload caused by drug trafficking and drug-related violence.
Spinette also sent a message to drug dealers and drug users who come to the neighbourhoods to get their "recreational" drugs. "Change your bad habits. You're not welcome in our neighbourhoods. Move along! Don't go near Place Bethléem or Square Jacques Franck. There are children and their families who want to live in peace."
