A new police station will be set up near the Brussels-Midi Railway Station as part of 22 concrete measures to tackle the issues in this neighbourhood, Prime Minister Alexander De Croo confirmed.
In response to the situation in and around the Brussels-Midi Railway Station and the concerns locals and tourists have for their safety, De Croo called for an urgent meeting with various competent ministers to tackle the situation with an action plan.
"This is a very complex issue we face here that affects many people every day," De Croo said during a press conference following the meeting on Thursday. De Croo added that this is why the Federal Government tasked the Crisis Centre to the National Crisis Centre (NCCN) with bringing together the various levels of government and services involved.
"It is a problem of safety for tourists and travellers who arrive in Brussels here, but also the liveability of the neighbourhood and the image of Brussels and our country. We definitely have the ambition to solve it."
Dedicated police post
Several targeted police actions carried out in recent week have been successful, De Croo says, but also stressed that the various parties involved are aware that this will not solve all problems for everybody and that long-term solutions are definitely needed, which will be set out by the action plan.
A total of 22 measures were ratified during the meeting. The most important agreement that ministers and the various services came to, relating to the safety and security axis, was the creation of a permanent post for police officers in or around the station, in addition to the increased presence of local and Federal Police.
A worker cleaning outside Brussels-Midi station. Credit: Belgsa/ Nicolas Maeterlinck
"Of course, the necessary agreements still have to be made regarding the creation of this new station, because the security of officers here of course also has to be guaranteed," said Home Affairs Minister Annelies Verlinden. She added that virtual patrols by monitoring cameras in and around the station will be reinforced.
It has not yet been decided when the new station will be set up or how many police officers will work there, but will be discussed in the coming weeks.
Other safety measures
In the meantime, increased and targeted deployment of officers will take place here, with twice-weekly action on the scene. "By doing so, we want to show travellers and local residents that we are serious about this matter and that we are responding to their concerns," Verlinden said.
Other measures that will be taken related to the security and safety in the area include possible bans on alcohol and public gatherings, such as was put in place in Brussels' North Quarter following several incidents of violence. However, Verlinden stressed that this too must be agreed on with local authorities to ensure it is implemented correctly.
Verlinden added that, during these actions, Federal and local police work together with organisations supporting vulnerable people such as undocumented people, drug addicts and homeless people to guide them towards other solutions and help them find housing.
Finally, in the longer term, the focus will be on the renovation and development of various sites around the station including infrastructure adaptation works that will have a significant impact on improving safety and liveability.
Steps taken on this front will include installing better lighting, a mapped route to guide tourists out of the station, the elaboration of a parking management strategy for buses and bikes, a strategy for Wi-Fi hotspots and the start of a thorough renovation of the district through the Fonsny projects and Blue Line.
