Belgium prepares for New Year’s Eve with increased police powers

Belgium’s interior minister Bernard Quintin (MR) has authorised local authorities to use house arrest, curfews and fireworks bans to prevent violence on New Year’s Eve.

New Year’s Eve regularly ends in riots in some Belgian cities, often involving violence against the police and emergency services, which is why Quintin has had operational plans drawn up for this year’s celebrations.

Mayors will be able to "use legal instruments such as house arrest and curfews to stop known perpetrators of violence", he said.

The recent advice from the Council of State to overturn the house arrest of a 17-year-old Antwerp resident on New Year's Eve 2024 "does not prevent them from doing so", Quintin said, adding that local authorities can also impose a ban on fireworks.

“Anyone who disturbs public order will be dealt with severely, and even more severely if the police or emergency services are targeted,” Quintin warned.

For Brussels, measures include bodycams, the use of FN303 riot guns and administrative fines for troublemakers. Unlike in previous years, no curfews are currently on the table.

“Brussels is not a war zone, but without a strong plan, our streets will continue to look like this on New Year's Eve,” said Brussels MP Mathias Vanden Borre (N-VA).

Vanden Borre noted that some measures have already proven their worth elsewhere, for example, the Antwerp approach in which known troublemakers are placed under house arrest.

Plans state that neighbourhoods at greatest risk should be screened in advance and secured against riots. Flammable items such as rubbish should be removed, and street furniture should be reinforced so that it cannot be used as projectiles.

The N-VA party also wants a general ban on the sale of fireworks - with the exception of professionals who have the necessary permits - a uniform plan of action for all prevention services and community guards, and the involvement of neighbourhood and street workers to organise social activities on New Year’s Eve.

All officers must be equipped with bodycams and additional cameras must be installed on police, fire brigade and emergency service vehicles. Drug checks will take place and drug dogs will be present in public areas.

In Anderlecht, for example, while last year’s curfew on New Year's Eve is not in the plans this year, other measures will be taken.

Mayor Fabrice Cumps (PS) said he would instead rely on increased efforts by the Brussels public prosecutor’s office rather than on individual restrictions.

“The public prosecutor's office will personally monitor the evening and take more repressive action against troublemakers,” Cumps told Bruzz.

Cooperation with the neighbouring municipalities of Forest and Saint-Gilles will also be stepped up, and Cumps wants to focus more on raising awareness “to protect the young people of Anderlecht from the dangers of fireworks”.