To tackle crime around Brussels-Midi, outgoing Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden called for more cooperation between local and federal police during the official opening of the new police hub inside the train station.
The Federal Government promised a police presence at the Brussels-Midi station as part of its action plan to tackle crime and social issues. The area has been a hotspot for ongoing social problems, such as rising homelessness and open drug use, but has been making headlines for its fast-rising crime rate in the last years – partly driven by the rapid rise of crack use in the capital.
"More cooperation is needed between the local administration, local police, the federal police and welfare and cleanliness institutions here in Brussels to help us find solutions for the reception of homeless people, those with addiction issues and migrants. That way, this can be a safe and pleasant environment for visitors and residents," Verlinden told The Brussels Times.
(Not) a 'proper' police station
Brussels-Midi station is located on the territory of the municipality of Saint-Gilles. While Mayor Jean Spinette (PS) acknowledged that the increased police presence would help to reassure passengers, he has also argued that he would have preferred "a proper police station" inside the train station instead of a slimmed-down version.
Verlinden, however, emphasised that this is a full-fledged police station. "People who have a question about their safety or want to make a complaint can come here almost 24 hours a day, any day of the week, for help and assistance from police officers," she stressed.
The police station is located at platforms 7 and 8 and next to the entrance of the metro. It will always be open during the station's opening hours (from 03:30 in the morning to 01:45 at night), where people can file a complaint or report incidents.
"We will see how this goes, but I do not know what will happen in the future. The station has now been operational for a week and we already have an initial view of what type of complaints and questions can be addressed here," Verlinden said.
Outgoing Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden at Brussels-Midi station on Thursday 28, November 2024. Credit: The Brussels Times
Previously, Spinette issued repeated calls for the train station's security to be outsourced to the federal level given its role a key international travel hub. With the Eurostar terminal located there, he argues that the train station deserves the same treatment as Brussels Airport in Zaventem in terms of police presence.
The station is manned by the Federal Police Railway Police and has been open regularly over the past week for a trial period and to test whether everything is working properly. During this first week, 95 reports were already drawn up in the new police station.
"These were mainly travellers who reported thefts or lost objects, but we also had a missing person," a spokesperson for the Federal Police told The Brussels Times. "For non-police questions, we refer people to the SNCB information point in the central hall of the station."
Additionally, the Railway Police and SNCB's security service Securail will continue to patrol trains and the station. For urgent police assistance, the emergency numbers 101 and 112 remain in effect.
