According to figures from the Flemish Statistic Agency (Statistiek Vlaanderen) that are based on data from the Federal Police Service, last year the Flemish Brabant city of Leuven recorded the highest number of criminal offences per 100 residents of any city or municipality in the whole of Flanders. In 2023, 12.5 criminal offences per 100 residents were recorded in Leuven. This means that the city that is home to Flanders’ largest university overtook Ghent (East Flanders) as the place in Flanders with the highest crime rate.
However, the Leuven Local Police Service puts the figures into perspective. Police spokesman Marc Vranckx told VRT News that “There are 60,000 students in Leuven that aren’t registered here as residents, but are responsible for criminal acts that are mainly linked to nightlife”.
The crime rate statistics show the number of criminal offences per 100 residents that were recorded during a given year. Last year the figures were highest in large cities, municipalities that are adjacent to large cities, medium-sized towns and municipalities at the coast. The lowest figures were recorded in small rural municipalities.
In 2023 Leuven had the highest crime rate (12.5 offences per 100 residents). Second was the East Flemish city of Ghent with 12.3 offences per 100 residents.
Drunk and disordely and murders
The Leuven Local Police Service is not unduly are concerned about the figures and puts them into perspective. Police spokesman Marc Vranckx told VRT News that “All figures are lumped together here. The figures include murders, but also bike thefts, graffiti and being drunk in public”.
“We should also not forget that Leuven is a city with a lot of students. 60,000 students are not registered residents here, but they are responsible for offences that are mainly related to nightlife. That of course pushes up the figures.”
Mr Vranckx added as the police in Leuven is very thorough and records everything meticulously this also increases the figures.
Furthermore, “Other surveys, such as population surveys, show that the people of Leuven do feel safe. So, we really have to put these figures into perspective”