In a joint operation with the French police hundreds of officers from 10 local police services and the Federal Police Service carried out checks along a stretch of the French border from the coastal municipality of De Panne (West Flanders) to Tournai in Hainaut Province.
Several dozen people detained during large-scale police operation along Belgium’s border with France
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The aim of the operation was to tackle gangs that cross the border from northern France and break into to residential properties and businesses in West Flanders and the north of Hainaut Province as well as to tackle to human trafficking and cross border drug smuggling.
Checks were carried out on both sides of the border throughout Thursday night. 16 suspects were arrested for being in the possession of firearms or drugs. 22 illegal migrants were also apprehended.
Crime is an issue in areas close to the French border and Thursday night’s operation was an attempt to address this. In a statement the Federal Police Service said "Land borders limit the work of the police and criminal organisations often exploit this. By organising multi-agency, cross-border checks, the police are sending out a strong message that the border is not a haven for criminals”.
Checkpoints were set up on both sides of the border from the Walloon town of Tournai to De Panne on the Flemish coast. In addition to the French police and the local and federal police services here in Belgium, the customs and immigration services also took part in the operation.
16 crime reports have been drafted for the possession of drugs or firearms. 1 fugitive was also detained. 22 illegal migrants were also detained. 8 of these were apprehended near to the Veurne intersection of the E40 motorway.
A further 72 crime reports were drafted for various traffic offences. 20 motorists were caught driving under the influence of drink or drugs.