Local police in the Tienen area of Flemish Brabant have identified four so-called “door stampers”, young people who stamp on front doors for fun and then run away. ‘It's a trend on social media that may seem funny, but is actually punishable by law,’ explains Julie Huyghebaert of the local police.
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Police identify “door stampers”: ‘Social media trend may seem funny, but is punishable by law’
Colin Clapson
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Videos of young people stamping on doors regularly appear on social media. Youngers used to ring doorbells and runn off, but the current trend is somewhat less playful.
‘It is a criminal offence,’ the police say. They have received four reports of so-called “door stampers” in the Tienen area of Flemish Brabant in the past two weeks. ‘It is a trend on social media. Young people make a video of themselves kicking a door and causing damage and then run away.’
Four young suspects identified
"On Monday, one of our police receptionists saw four young people kick a door twice and then run away. Our receptionist followed the youths and we were eventually able to identify them. One of them has since confessed."
The young people's parents have also been contacted. ‘They are liable for the offences in civil law,’ says Hughebaert. ‘The door was damaged and the victims were at home at the time of the incident. It gave them quite a shock. It is not easy for them, either financially or emotionally.’