In Antwerp, Mayor Bart De Wever (Flemish nationalist/N-VA) is giving the police permission to carry out systematic identity checks on people causing a nuisance in the Central Station area. The measure will apply at least until the end of May and is aimed at tackling the increase in the nuisance youngsters are causing in the neighbourhood. "Youngsters involved in gatherings that could lead to trouble will systematically be arrested," Mr De Wever said.
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Antwerp Mayor Bart De Wever OKs systematic police identity checks in Antwerp station area
Colin Clapson
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During the Easter break last year, Antwerp local police received numerous reports about the nuisance groups of youths were causing near the De Keyserlei and the Opera. Visitors to shops and restaurants were harassed, passers-by were intimidated, and homeless people were targeted and violently assaulted.
To prevent any repeat local police already had an extra presence in that area in recent weeks. Mayor Bart De Wever is now going a step further and giving the local police the authorisation to systematically check the identity of young people along the pedestrian precinct that leads to the River Schelde and the station neighbourhood until the end of May.
Core group of 20 or so young people
According to Mayor De Wever, just like last year, it is young minors who are certainly not all from Antwerp, who are causing trouble. "They also come to the city from the surrounding area. The core group consists of about 20 youths who are all known to police and who continue to be determined to disrupt public order. Their presence also irks shopkeepers in the area."
The mayor wants to use the temporary measure, to deter troublemakers who want to come to Antwerp and spoil its pleasant atmosphere. "They have no business in our city. Especially with the good weather forecast, we need to ensure the safety of shopkeepers, people in the hospitality industry and passers-by. Our local police are being given the powers to come down hard on people causing a nuisance. There will also be a strict monitoring of gatherings that could lead to trouble or disturb the peace. We will continue to monitor the situation closely in the coming weeks."
Systematic arrests
"The police are not only authorised to check people’s identity," says Mr De Wever. "They are also authorised to immediately break up gatherings causing a nuisance. You can really question where the parental control of these young people is or whether they possess any remaining sense of morality. They will be systematically arrested. That will have a deterrent effect on them!"
The permission for systematic identity checks applies to the entire station area in the vicinity of the Rooseveltplaats, the Gemeentestraat, the Astridplein and the De Keyserlei. The Operaplein, the Teniersplaats and the Meir are also covered by the measure.