The majority of crime statistics in Leuven have decreased for the second consecutive year, according to the 2024 figures released on Wednesday.
The number of police reports filed for acts of violence dropped by 5.4% to 872. There was also less vandalism and fewer noise complaints reported. Traffic accidents decreased by 1.7%, with fewer incidents involving vulnerable road users.
The police also noted an overall decline in thefts. Pickpocketing incidents fell to 138 cases, a decrease of 101. Shoplifting reports dropped by 52 cases to 551. Bicycle thefts, a common issue in the student city of Leuven, reduced by 4.3% to 1,701.
However, burglaries in homes and apartments increased. There were 200 reported cases in houses, up by 25 from 2023, and 113 in apartments or studios, an increase of 45 cases.
According to Police Chief Jean-Paul Mouchaers, this rise is due to burglars often targeting multiple apartments within a building.
"Once burglars gain access to an apartment block, they often do not limit themselves to just one apartment," Mouchaers explained. "However, with a total of approximately 80,000 homes and apartments in Leuven, the absolute numbers remain relatively low."
