‘We can already say which babies and toddlers will go off the rails’

The horrific events in Anderlecht continue to reverberate. Three minors are now detained at the Everberg youth detention centre because of their involvement in an incident in which a 15-year-old boy was set on fire.

Two of the three youngsters hail from the Halle-Vilvoorde area. One of them was already known to the judicial authorities, according to Halle-Vilvoorde public prosecutor Carol Vercarre. She also warns that the number of extremely violent crimes among young people seems to be on the rise.

More and more serious violence?

‘It's difficult to determine it objectively, but subjectively I have had that feeling for the past two or three years. We have also had numerous serious cases in a short period of time. In Kampenhout, a young person was beaten up; in Halle, there was a stabbing involving minors; and also in Halle, a boy was beaten up because he didn't want to give up a slice of pizza.’

It is precisely these trivial reasons that stand out. ‘The reasons are often very strange, completely absurd. Sometimes it is enough for a boy to look at another youngster's girlfriend to cause a complete escalation between two gangs. That is so incomprehensible. But whether it happens more often, or whether we are being made more aware of such incidents, is not entirely clear.’

‘Suddenly, young people are often carrying knives in their pockets. Why is that necessary when you go to school or to a party?’ she wonders. ‘But it means that the slightest argument can quickly escalate, with consequences far worse than the young people could have imagined.’

She sees two distinct profiles among these young people. ‘Some come from very vulnerable home situations, and we need to address not only the offences, but also the worrying parenting situation. Others are young people who are showing off, exhibiting risky behaviour during puberty. If we intervene quickly, we can ensure that they do not slide into more serious offences."

There are, of course, a range of options for supporting young people like this. In serious cases – such as the one in Anderlecht – a juvenile court judge will always be involved. They can have the young person detained in a secure institution, if a place is available.

But for first or less serious offences, there are also many other possibilities. ‘Think of restorative mediation or projects that young people can get involved in. For example, a young person who has started a fire can clean fire engines, and a young person who has harassed elderly people can help out in a residential care home. Often, we don't see them again after that.’

Of course, Vercarre says, this does not apply to every young person. ‘For some, that is not enough and things escalate quickly.’

Lack of capacity

It can also be very frustrating work, the prosecutor emphasises. ‘We can already make lists of babies and toddlers who we know will go off the rails completely within 10 or 15 years, if their families do not receive sufficient support. And that support is not there, so that prediction will probably come true.’

In all cases, rapid intervention is crucial. ‘If a young person does something today, there is little point in calling them to account in 8- or 9-months’ time to say, “What you did on 3 February is not acceptable”. You have to respond as quickly as possible. But there is a lack of capacity to do so.’

The magistrate therefore hopes that the incident in Anderlecht will also set something in motion politically. ‘Repression and prevention must go hand in hand. But we also need to invest in community centres, sports clubs and hobbies. Everyone must work together to engage with young people.’