Antwerp local police are to arrest known troublemakers more quickly, even if they are not doing anything wrong at the time. Those arrested will also immediately be detained for up to 12 hours, the maximum allowed. The new approach is set out in an internal memo seen by daily Gazet van Antwerpen. The police have also confirmed the switch to VRT NEWS. In this way, the police and the city aim to protect quality of life and encourage people to accept help. According to the Human Rights League, this approach is not lawful.
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Antwerp police to arrest known troublemakers even when they are not committing any offence
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Antwerp police are compiling a list of troublemakers, whom they also refer to as ‘claimers, a word used to refer to a known repeat offender or structural nuisance maker.’. “You aren’t simply registered as a claimer. These individuals are known for systematically causing a nuisance,” say the police.
Under the new guidelines, these claimers must be immediately placed under administrative detention for up to 12 hours if they are found anywhere, for example during a check. It is no longer necessary for them to be committing a criminal offence or actually causing a disturbance at that moment.
“This approach aims to protect the quality of life in Antwerp, to report people without lawful residence to the Immigration Service, and to refer people with addiction problems to support services.”
The police have discussed the approach with the office of Mayor Els van Doesburg (Flemish nationalist N-VA). According to the mayor’s office, there are as yet no administrative means to compel people to seek help.
“As long as we cannot compel these individuals to seek support services, we will, in the meantime, use this approach to strongly encourage them to accept help,” says spokesperson David Cleiren.
The measure applies throughout the city of Antwerp, but in practice is mainly enforced in Antwerp’s North District. This is a neighbourhood that the city itself has designated as a ‘neighbourhood requiring special attention’. Systematic identity checks had already been introduced there previously. Regular checks are also carried out to tackle public nuisance behaviour.
“Unlawful”
According to the Human Rights League, the approach is unlawful. “Making someone feel unsafe is not sufficient grounds for administrative detention,” says chair Kati Verstrepen.
“The Police Act permits administrative detention, but only if someone is actually disturbing the peace. You cannot simply detain people preventively just because you think they are going to disturb public order.”