Police conducted another large-scale operation in the area around the Brussels North Station at the weekend. 17 people were detained and another, suspected of drug dealing, was arrested Brussels North police say.
The area around the Brussels North railway station has been notorious as an extremely difficult neighbourhood for several years, and in late 2022 tensions in the area came to a head after a police officer was stabbed to death.
Since then, the police have increased their presence in the neighbourhood and regularly carry out operations aimed at reducing crime in the area. These operations resulted in 741 arrests and detentions between 15 August and 15 October, police sources say.
120 officers deployed on Sunday
Sunday's operation passed without incident. 120 officers from the Brussels North police zone covering Schaarbeek, Evere and Sint-Joost took part. They focused on part of the Aarschotstraat, an area that local police consider ‘particularly problematic’ because it is a hotspot for violent crime and drug dealing.
To combat crime in this area efficiently, police need a clear and detailed picture of the individuals present in the neighbourhood, a press release explains. ‘Among other things, the operation made it possible to verify or supplement information and make progress in various judicial investigations.’
The operation is also intended to show the police presence on the streets. ‘In parallel with this large-scale police operation, daily patrols and various other security operations will continue,’ the police say.
A month ago, the police carried out a similar operation in the area. Then too there were several arrests.