Some 250 people travelling without valid tickets were intercepted at Vilvoorde station (Flemish Brabant) on Wednesday during a large-scale operation jointly conducted by local police, Flemish transport operator De Lijn, and SNCB's security service Securail, announced Vilvoorde-Machelen police on Friday.
This operation follows a similar action carried out on 13 February.
In total, approximately 1,995 bus passengers and 1,200 train travellers were checked. Among them, 250 did not have valid tickets.
Police detained four individuals for drug possession and three others for carrying illegal weapons, including a tear gas canister and a knife. A minor was found violating conditions set by the youth court.
Furthermore, 42 drivers were fined for ignoring the 'except De Lijn' sign at the station. Two of these drivers did not present valid driving licences during the document check.
Vilvoorde Mayor Jo De Ro stated that these results show the effectiveness of collaboration between the police, the Public Prosecutor's Office, the city, and public transport security services. "We must continue these efforts in the long term to ensure our station area becomes and remains a safe and pleasant place," he said.
